Unit 8: The Peloponnesian Wars and Thucydides: Objectives Flashcards
Q: Narrate the course of the Peloponnesian War through its three main phases.
A: The war had three phases:
Archidamian War (431–421 BCE): Sparta invaded Attica; Athens relied on its navy. Ended with the Peace of Nicias.
Sicilian Expedition (415–413 BCE): Athens attempted to conquer Sicily but suffered a devastating defeat.
Ionian/Decelean War (413–404 BCE): Sparta, aided by Persia, built a navy and defeated Athens, leading to its surrender.
Q: Compare Thucydides’ style of history writing with that of Herodotus.
A: Thucydides was analytical, focused on politics and military events, and avoided divine explanations. Herodotus included myths, cultural details, and oral accounts, making his history more narrative and thematic.
Q: Describe the effects of plague on besieged Athens.
A: The plague (430–426 BCE) killed a large portion of the population, including Pericles, weakening Athens militarily and politically. It led to social disorder, loss of morale, and a shift in Athenian leadership.
Q: Explain the arguments that Thucydides’ Pericles made for going to war with Sparta.
A: Pericles argued that Athens’ navy and wealth gave it an advantage, that giving in to Sparta would weaken Athenian power, and that war was necessary to protect democracy and maintain Athens’ empire.
Q: Recall the arguments and persuasive techniques that Pericles used to bolster the resolve of Athenians.
A: Pericles used patriotic rhetoric, emphasizing Athenian superiority, civic duty, and sacrifice for democracy. He reassured Athenians of their strength and framed the war as a noble struggle for survival.
