Merito, responsabilità e incertezza nel dibattito su Mitilene (Tucidide III 39 ss.)

This paper analyzes the introductive sections in the antilogical speeches of Cleonand Diodotus on the punishment that Mytileneans deserve for their revolt(Thucydides, book III, 36 ss.). In these sections, as well as in other key points of theantilogy, speakers define the categories of "responsibility" and "accountability","title" and "merit." Through the contrast between both speeches, Thucydideshighlights "uncertainty" as necessary and qualifying condition for an authentic"deliberation".