Citizens of the demes,

It is not merely the love of honor that guides us in our stately endeavors for a greater Athens. Socrates, having often moved me to tears (even if, admittedly, a few were tears of boredom) in his teachings, charges that, above our desires, reason should govern in our daily discourse. The Assembly has shown great faith and reason in voting, partisan and biased interests aside, to rebuild the Long Walls; such strength of will as statesmen can account for great Athenian achievements to come. I do take great care and honor in the responsibility (and in the handsome, though unnecessary, title) given me by you, my citizens and my peers. The construction on the new walls has already begun, and many men have thanked me for the work during these difficult times.

I am a man of action. I am certainly not oblivious to the knowledge that great doors to public service have been opened to me by birth and property, but these things I believe may at least be qualified by my personal bravery in battle, rigorous devotion, and relentlessness to accomplish what others cannot. I have many devoted friends; still fewer since my days of perpetual Dionysian revelries have all but been abandoned. “Associates for Athens” (or A.A.) I have quietly called all you who support me in recent ascetic pursuits.
Upon completion of the Long Walls, and regardless of my personal contributions, I understand that the Athenian funds will still be heavily in need of replenishing. As we all know, Athenians are greatly dependent on imported grain to sustain us, and we pay a heavy duty for said food with money that could be used for better purposes. However, if we do not satisfy our most literal and necessary of appetites, then we cannot have the energy to stand, nor surely to govern. My responsibilities following the appointment of Superintendent to Overseeing the Rebuilding, accompanied by my rigorous training schedule, have detained me at the moment from making any economically beneficial missions on part of Athens, but I wish to propose one for the future nevertheless.
We must maintain genial ties with the island states of Imbros, Lemnos, Seyros, and Euboea, to name a few, thereby securing a safe passage through the Black Sea for our unprotected grain ships.
I would entreat the Assembly to allow me to voyage peaceably and diplomatically to these governments on such an expedition. I would of course fund the trip out of my own coffers; a recorded account of all established good relations would be subject to verification by the Assembly. Furthermore, the 10% grain duty imposed on our ships in Byzantium could be greatly reduced with a little reasoning and persuasion. If the Assembly so wishes, I would also venture to have this burden alleviated.

Meanwhile, let us rejoice in our current progress! As I have learned, kinesthetic aptitude can only be achieved through physical exertion. In other words, as “parts,” we can only better or strengthen the “body” of Athens by completing disciplined actions as a whole.

Thanks be to Athena,

Your Warrior-Athlete of Means