Reference no: EM132156968
Reading guide for: ThucydidesHistory of the Peloponnesian Warselections from books 1 and 2
Questions for chapters 1.1-23 (In this passage Thucydides discusses the distant past, his aims, and his methods)
Why did Thucydides think the war between Athens and Sparta was such an important topic?
What does Thucydides think of periods in the distant past?
What evidence does Thucydides use to suggest that the Greeks (i.e., "Hellenes") did not identify as "Hellenes" or "Hellenic" until a relatively late date?
What does Thucydides think compelled people to follow Agamemnon to Troy instead of loyalty?
Why does Thucydides think Sparta would seem like it was less powerful than Athens if both cities were deserted?
Judging from chapters 11 - 16, what does Thucydides think are the crucial factors in campaigns of conquest?
What does Thucydides think of Spartan government and why?
How was Spartan and Athenian policy towards their respective "allies" different, judging from chapter 19?
What would Thucydides think of Herodotus' account of the end of the tyranny in Athens, judging from chapter 20? (Hint: If you're stumped, review last week's reading guide on book 5 of Herodotus)
What criticism does Thucydides make of "most people" in chapter 20?
What criticism does Thucydides make of the "prose chroniclers?"
Describe Thucydides' approach towards documenting speeches.
What sources does Thucydides say he relied on for his reporting of events?
Towards the end of chapter 22 Thucydides states his general aim in writing his history, try to summarize it here.
Why does Thucydides think that the Peloponnesian War was a greater war than the Persian War?
What does Thucydides think was the "real reason" for the Peloponnesian War?
Questions for 1.66-88 (In this passage Thucydides describes a debate at Sparta about whether or not to go to war, some Athenians make a surprise appearance)
What grievance did Corinth (a Spartan ally) have against Athens?
What complaint did Athens have against the Peloponnesians (the Spartans and their allies)?
Judging from Thucydides' account of the Corinthian speech how are the Spartans and Athenians different from each other?
How do the Athenians say they came to have an empire and why do they say they are justified in keeping it?
What warning about the nature of war do the Athenians make towards the end of their speech?
What does the Spartan king Archidamus think about the prospect of war?
Why does Archidamus say a strategy that involves regular invasions of Athens to devastate their land won't work?
Questions for 2.1-33 (This is Thucydides' account of the first year of the Peloponnesian War)
Summarize the chain of events that led to the death or capture of the 300 Thebans who tried to overthrow the government of Plataea.
How did the Plataean and Theban accounts of what was to be done with the Theban prisoners differ and what ultimately happened to the prisoners?
What steps did the Spartans and the Athenians take to get ready for the war?
In his speech, why does the Spartan king Archidamus say the Athenians are especially likely to get angry and come out to fight if they see their territory being destroyed?
Why did Pericles say the Athenians should have confidence?
Did the Spartan king Archidamus take an aggressive or cautious approach towards the invasion of Attica?
Why did Pericles decide not to call the assembly together while the Spartans were destroying the territory of Acharnae?
How does Thucydides describe the condition of Athenian forces and resources at the end of the first year of the war?