Pericles Flashcards
The battle strategy and plague in the first years of the Peloponnesian War:
Pericles relied on naval power and avoided land battles. Overcrowding led to a devastating plague in 430 BCE, killing many, including Pericles
Causes of the Peloponnesian War:
Athenian imperialism threatened Sparta
Spartan actions challenged Athenian power
Pericles’ policies, including the Megarian Decree, worsened tensions
Women in religion
Women and the home/marriage/motherhood
Expected to manage households and bear children.
Marriages arranged for social and economic purposes.
Women’s roles were centered on family and domestic duties.
Aspasia
A metic (resident foreigner) who was the companion of Pericles.
Known for her intelligence and association with Athenian intellectuals.
Criticized for her political influence and non-traditional role.
Women in Tragedy
Depicted as figures of power, suffering, and defiance (e.g., Medea, Antigone).
Used as a lens to explore themes of justice, revenge, and societal norms.
Some tragedies reflected on women’s restricted roles and hardships.
Aristotle:
Plutarch
Plutarch was a Greek biographer and essayist known for his “Parallel Lives,” comparing Greek and Roman figures.
His writings provide valuable insights into the moral character and leadership qualities of historical personalities.
Thucydides
Thucydides was an ancient Greek historian who authored “History of the Peloponnesian War.”
His work is considered a critical and analytical account of the conflict between Athens and Sparta.
Pausanias:
Pausanias was a Greek traveler and geographer known for his work “Description of Greece.”
His writings offer detailed descriptions of ancient Greek monuments, cities, and customs.
Aristophanes:
Aristophanes was a playwright of ancient Athens, known for his comedic plays that often satirized contemporary society and politics.
His works provide insight into the social and political life of Athens during the 5th century BCE.
Xenophon
Xenophon was an ancient Greek historian, philosopher, and soldier.
His writings include “Anabasis,” an account of his journey with the “Ten Thousand,” and “Cyropaedia,” a fictionalized biography of Cyrus the Great.
