Paper #1

To my fellow Athenians, I greet you all!

I come before our Assembly to bring up a matter that I feel may have been overlooked. Presently, many of us have varying views on how we might go about rebuilding our beloved city of Athens. And while we may have different visions on how to go about doing just that, is it not true that we are all drive by love—the love a man and a patriot feels for his sacred homeland? In any circumstance, we wish for Athens to be great. And I feel as though it is my duty as a patriot to bring to light a pivotal point in any reconstruction of our home: the long walls.

As much as any temple or house in our city, the long walls represent something uniquely Athenian—and they were part of what defined us as a great city of the world. It was the walls that made our leadership of the Delian League possible, for knowing those walls remained meant that Athens stood nearly invincible to any attack by land. It was the walls that kept citizens like you and I fed rather than starving during times of conflict. Never forget that our access to the Piraeus is not only what allows for our military and naval strength in the world, but is also our lifeline for supplies and nourishment.

It is with that in mind that I say, in moving forward to a new and greater Athens, we must build new and greater walls! Some of you might claim, "But didn't the long walls ultimately fail us during the War?" Would you have preferred capitulating immediately to the mighty Spartan Army? Would you have preferred to face down their stern, heartless expressions without the benefit of those fortifications? Only a fool ignores matters of defense for his home. I am not claiming that it will be an inexpensive, easy task, but few easy things in life are worthwhile. But among some of you, I hear talk of restoration of our great empire. My heart goes out to such a cause, but such an endeavor is not possible without the long walls. And to those of you who cringe at the thought of the expenses and property taxes involved in rebuilding the walls, I ask that you consider what will happen to your wealth if Sparta or another city should march upon us, at our present state of defenselessness.

Do not forget the legacy of the war against Sparta. We all owe the great Athena our loyalty, and whatever we can do in her defense. Nor can we forget the memory of Pericles and a great Athens—we must rebuild the long walls!

- Member of the Radical Democratic Faction