[53]
Now after these events it came about that each of these cities in turn gained the empire of the sea1—a power such that whichever state possesses it holds in subjection most of the states of Hellas.2 As to their use of this power in general, I commend neither Athens nor Sparta; for one might find many faults with both. Nevertheless, in this supervision3 the Athenians surpassed the Lacedaemonians no less than in the deeds which I have just mentioned.
1 For contrast between the empire of Athens and that of Sparta, 53-61, compare Isoc. 4.104 ff.
2 Cf. Isoc. 4.16.
3 Here is the inoffensive word ἐπιμέλεια, supervision, to convey the feeling that the empire of Athens cared for the interests of the confederate states.
Isocrates. Isocrates with an English Translation in three volumes, by George Norlin, Ph.D., LL.D. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1980.
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