IDENTIFICATIONS & QUESTIONS: WEEK III

IDENTIFICATIONS

Darius*
Xerxes*
Leonidas*
Themistocles*
Peloponnesian League*
Delian League*
Peloponnesian War (431-404 B.C.)*
Cimon
Pericles*
Lysander
Alcibiades

LOCATIONS

Sparta*
Athens*
Thebes*
Corinth*
Corcyra
Boeotia
Mytilene
Lesbos
Chios
Samos
Melos
Aegospotami*

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

What are Herodotus' stated purposes in writing his history?

What does Herodotus tell us about his sources, general or specific?

Who started the war between the Persians and the Greeks?

What are Herodotus' final views on the causes of the war between the Greeks and Persians?

During the Debate at Sparta, who were the instigators (open or concealed) of a declaration of war on Athens? What were their complaints? What were their motives? (1.66-67)

What accusations do the Corinthians make against Athens? What do they say about Sparta? (1.68-71)

What response do the Athenians make to these accusations? How would you characterize Athenian statecraft? (1.73-77)

Why does Pericles deliver the Funeral Speech? What customs surrounded this event? (2.34)

Why does Pericles say that such a speech is difficult to deliver? What characteristic of human nature does he mention? (2.35)

Whom does Pericles praise first? Why? (2.36) What does Pericles praise next? What elements does he focus on? (2.37-41)

What elements does Pericles focus on in praising the fallen? (2.42-43) What comfort does Pericles offer the relatives of the fallen? (2.44-45)

What are the motives the led the Athenian assembly to order the destruction of Mitylene? (3.36)

What are the arguments of Cleon to uphold the decision to destroy Mitylene? (3.37-40)

What are the arguments of Diodotus to reverse the decision? In what ways do they agree or disagree with the arguments of Cleon? (3.42-48)

Why is the Melian debate not open to the general public?

What is the Athenians justification for requiring Melos to join their alliance?

Are the Melesian officials right in refusing to submit to Athenian demands?

How do the Melesians hope to withstand the Athenians?

Are the Athenians right in saying their hopes are misplaced?

Are justice and fair play necessary or useful considerations in international relations?