Sicily and the Greek West

Question 1

What context does Thucydides provide to the Sicilian Expedition?
Reference?

Answer 1

archaic links to the Mediterranean through colonial missions of Athens and Sparta
‘Sikelikia’ 6.2-5

Question 2

What context does Thuc not provide in his context of sicilian exped? What enables us to understand this better?

Answer 2

more immediate classical context
Diodorus’ account

Question 3

What 3 points does Diodorus make as context of the Sic Expedition? References?

Answer 3

Growth of the Syracusans, who were sympathetic to Spartan cause (11.51-3)
Wealth of the cities (eg Akragas) on the island (13.81-2)
Natural resources and fertility of the land (12.54)

Question 4

What is a fundamental idea that runs through motives in sic exped also seen throughout Pelo war?
Specific example?

Answer 4

kinship links between mother city and colony
appeal of Egesta to Athens based on this matter 6.6

Question 5

What is the political complications of the Sic exped in Athens? Reference?

Answer 5

Used in the political feuding between Alcibiades and Nicias
6.9-.18

Question 6

What was Alcibiades’ approach to the Sic exped? Reference?

Answer 6

idea of ease and natural superiority over Syracuse by garnering support in the region from greek colonies and the sikels
6.17-18, 6.48

Question 7

What was Nicias’ approach to the Sic exped? Reference incl Plutarch?

Answer 7

Defined by caution and apprehension. Avoid direct conflict with Syracuse but rather focus on Egesta v Selinus conflict then sail round the island in a show of naval power and return home.
6.47; plu.vit.Nic 14

Question 8

What was a key cultural characteristic of Sicily as a whole?

Answer 8

the mixture of culture w different tribes of the Elymi, Sicani, and Sikels

Question 9

How does Egesta demonstrate cultural hybridity in Sicily?

Answer 9

Had a very much Sicilian population but its templar architecture (preserved by 5th cent unfinished T) had very mainland greek style

Question 10

What is a demonstration of Alcibiades ‘mixed rabble’ weakness comment (6.17) was ignorant? Reference?

Answer 10

Ducetius’ leadership of a religiously bound homogenous tribal group against tyrannical Syracuse
Diod 11.76, 12.8

Question 11

What were the links between South Italy and mainland Greece by time of Sic Exped? (2)

Answer 11

help Athens had provided Thurii in 5th cent recovery, Treaties of Rhegion and Leontini after Corcyra

Question 12

At what point did Syracusan luck change for the better?

Answer 12

When Spartan fleet arrived to help them - boosted both morale and ability to challenge Athens’ fleet

Question 13

What does Thucydides build as a theme contributing to Athens’ failure?
Reference?

Answer 13

Delay in decision making that enable Syracuse to build up their confidence and ability to challenge Athens
7.43 attacking Nicias specifically

Question 14

Why did Thucydides build up the narrative of Sic Exped?

Answer 14

To emphasise the ignorance, hubris, and greed of democratic athens

Question 15

How did Thuc present the Sic Exped?

Answer 15

a poorly planned rather random decision doomed from the start

Question 16

What makes the ignorance of Athens as to the nature of Sicily suspicious?

Answer 16

They had a history of connections from archaic period which would have lead to human interactions in trade and just a general awareness

Question 17

What did Athens do to support Leontini against Syracuse? When?

Answer 17

sent 60 ships
427-4

Question 18

What about the fleet in Thuc’s descrip of Sic exped is suspicious?

Answer 18

The unprecedented nature is exaggerated as the numbers of triremes are not that different from fleet numbers sent to Potidaea or Egypt

Question 19

In what year during Arch war do Athens send a fleet to Leontini in alliance vs Sparta?

Answer 19

427

Question 20

How does Bacchylides (III) describe Hieron of Syracuse?

Answer 20

‘ruling most widely over the Greeks, and he knows not to hide his towered wealth under black-cloaked darkness’