Greek Sources

Question 1

Herodotus

Answer 1

• Was from Halicarnassus that was under Persian control (bias) & read his Histories in Athens
• Would not have been at Thermopylae as too young but spoke to those who would have been there
• Wrote to tell of great deeds
• Sometimes needed to check facts/ not put all in

Question 2

Thucydides

Answer 2

• Was exiled from Athens as had failed as a general during the Pelponnesian War. Spent time with Spartans so some balance.
• Account contemporaneous
• Wrote because he saw the war as important for history
• Accurate, scientific research
• Lots of set speeches - meaning correct but not word for word

Question 3

Xenephon

Answer 3

• Slightly later but contemporary enough

- Normally gives a balanced picture but pro-Athenian bias

Question 4

Old Oligarch

Answer 4

• Contemporary source

- Bias - does not like the Athenian democracy preferring an oligarchic form of government

Question 5

Aristotle

Answer 5

• Writing in fourth century BC and a student of Plato

- Preferred the concept of philosopher King - the good monarch

Question 6

Aristophanes

Answer 6

• Comic playwright operating at the height of the democracy
• Lampooned leading demagogues such as Cleon (The Knights 424),
• The Wasps (422) gives details on the law courts
• The Lysistrata (411) is based on a sex strike to try and bring an end to the war
• All the plays are indicative of the high degree of freedom of speech tolerated in 5th century BCE Athens

Question 7

Euripides

Answer 7

• Tragic playwright operating at the height of the democracy
• Tended to be sympathetic to those underrepresented & challenged the democratic order sometimes - in the play Hecuba he describes Odysseus as “agile-minded, sweet-talking, demos- pleasing” - an attack on war demagogues
• Produced over 80 plays but only 5 first places might be linked to his contemporary views