The Athenian’s only demand is to make the Melian an allied nation that will help in the objects of war (97). The Athenian’s reasoning in this demand is that the Athenians do not want look weak to their enemies and to their allies by letting the Melians stay neutral. They also worry of the islanders doing something foolish like rebellion (99). The consequence of failing to do as the Athenians command is usually death (99)(93). The other argument that the Athenians discuss is the weakness of the Melians. Hope is not an option for the weak Melians, for this kind of hope will get them killed (103). The Athenians also argue that the gods favor the strong over the weak(105). The last point in favor of the Athenians is that there are no nations that will come to the aid of the Melians (109)

However, despite Socrates’ discussion, the Athenian Generals are still too wrapped up in their desires and passions that they are unwilling to do what they must do to understand justice. Therefore they call Socrates a dreamer and a wishful thinker and end the discussion. Socrates, due to the power and pull of passions that blinded the Athenian generals, was unable to save the Melians from destruction.

he wall of the cave? How could they if their heads were held still all their lives? What would they see all the things carried by? The same. Now if they could talk to each other do you think they would believe what they saw was reality?” (514a-515b)

. The Athenians state that Socrates’ points have to be on the grounds of justice.

sire for possessions. This means that the city will need an army, since it has already been established that each man is only good at one skill, and warfare is a skill. Through examining the nature of a dog, hostile to strangers, and loving people they know, they realize that dogs judge things as hostile or friendly only through knowledge and ignorance. Thus, they must love knowledge. Also, since dogs are the best guardians of people they love, the guardians of the city must also love knowledge, and people who love knowledge are philosophers. Therefore, "to become a good guardian, a man must be by nature fast, strong, and a spirited philosopher" (376e). Socrates illustrates how they will train the guarders of the city; “gymnastics for the body and poetry for the soul” (376e). Beginning with children’s stories that; although they are false, teach the children values, literature shapes the moral system of the guarders.

The second allegory teaches that justice is in a class of intelligible values rather than in the class of visible values. The Cave allegory is the last parable Socrates uses. Everything that Socrates had taught up to this point was in preparation for the Cave allegory and it’s significance.

Some topics in this essay:
Athenians Socrates’, Socrates Socrates, Athenian Generals, Melians Truly, Melians Hope, Cleomedes Tisias, love knowledge, Socrates Athenians, cave allegory, melians hope, people city, ideal city, save melians, grounds justice, athenian generals, characteristic guarders, people love,