Thucydides Peloponnesian War Book 2 (Lattimore translation) Study Questions
Due: October 31.
[NOTE: If you are pressed for time, you may skip reading sections 79-103]
Illustration: Clay Vase in the Shape of a Kneeling boy. Found in the Agora at Athens. Attic: 540-530 BCE. Height. 25.5 cm.
Agora Museum, Athens.
This is a perfume container, probably a 'dedication of a contest victor. perhaps he is binding a fillet around his head, making him an archaic 'diadoumenos'. Traces of glaze indicate that his hair and mouth were originally colored red.
Construction: The body and head were cast in a mold; arms and lower legs modeled separately. The mouth of the vase was thrown on a wheel. Perhaps the work of an Ionian artist, because of the characteristic round face with large eyes and full cheeks.
[The Human Figure in Early Greek Art. Greek Ministry of Culture, 1987, fig. 48]
CLICK HERE FOR A QUICK TRUE-FALSE QUIZ ABOUT THE SECOND BOOK OF THUCYDIDES. FUN FOR ALL AGES!!!
The Opening Battles of he Peloponnesian War
1. What did the Thebans do to the Plataians? Why did they do it? What was the reaction of the Plataians? What was the reaction of the Athenians? 2.1-6
2. What does Thucydides say about the earthquake on Delos, and how does this match what Herodotus had said about a similar event? Thucydides 2.8 (and Lattimore's note); Herodotus 6.98
3. What is the essence of Archidamos' speech to the Spartans and their allies before they invade Attica? 2.11
4. How did Pericles tell the Athenians to prepare for the war? How did the Athenians react? 2.13-14
5. What did Theseus do that established the foundations for the Athenian state? What is the "Synoikia"? 2.15
6. How did the Athenians deal with the problems of living space during the war? 2.17
7. How did Pericles react when the Athenians felt rage against him? Why were the people angry? 2.21-22
Pericles' Funeral Oration
8. What were the circumstances of Pericles' delivery of this speech? 2.34
9. What does Pericles say that present-day Athenians owe to their ancestors? their fathers? 2.35-36
10. What does Pericles say is unique about the Athenian constitution? 2.36-37
11. What kind of attitude does Pericles say that the Athenians have about people who do their own thing? Why do you think that he considers this to be a strength of Athens? 2.37
12. What does Pericles say that the Athenians fear? Why is this a good fear? 2.37
13. How does Pericles say that the Athenians get 'respites from labor'? 2.38
14. How does Pericles say that the Athenians differ from the Spartans in preparing for war? What can you think of as advantages of an open society and a relaxed way of life? 2.39
15. What does Pericles say that the Athenian attitude is towards wealth, poverty, and discussion of public affairs? 2.40
16. What benefit does Pericles say that the Athenians get from their generosity? 2.40
17. What about Athens makes it an 'education for Hellas'? 2. 41
18. Why does Pericles mention Homer in his eulogy? What does he imply about poets and poetry? 2.41
19. Why is Thucydides use of "lovers" considered a "startling choice of words?"( note to 2.43)
20. After Pericles tells his fellow citizens to become "lovers" of Athens, what else does he encourage them all to do? 2.43
21. What does Pericles say about the virtue of women? 2.45
22. What does Pericles say about the love of honor? 2.44
23. According to Pericles' speech, how will the Athenian state treat the children of those who died in the war? 2.46
The Plague
24. What does Lattimore say is 'extraordinarily dramatic' about the placement of 2.47-54? (see note to 2.47)
25. What kinds of normally useful things (name three) were found to be ineffective against the plague? 2.47
26. What did the Athenians see as the origin of the plague? 2.48
27. Why does Thucydides say that he chooses to describe the plague in such detail? Why should we take his account as accurate? 2.48
28. What were the two 'most terrible' miseries of the plague? 2.51
29. What does Thucydides say was an aggravation of the existing calamity? (i.e. What made it worse than it might otherwise have been?) 2.52
30. How did the plague affect burial rites at Athens? 2.52
31. According to Thucydides, how did the plague affect Athenians' attitude towards morals and worshipping the gods? 2.53
32. What is Thucydides' observation about Athenian interpretation of oracles? 2.54
33. What was the Spartan reaction to the plague in Athens? How useful was this reaction? 2.57
34. Summarize two of Pericles' arguments meant to dissuade the dejected Athenians from coming to terms with the Spartans during the plague. 2.59-64
The Plague's Aftermath
35. What characteristic of Athenian democracy does Thucydides comment on in a derogatory way when he discusses the actions of the people towards Pericles? 2.65
36. How did the Athenians -- according to Thucydides -- bring harm to their state after the death of Pericles? 2.65
37. How does Thucydides say that Pericles contrasted with succeeding Athenian leaders? 2.65
38. How does Thucydides explain Pericles' success as leader of Athens? 2.65
39. Briefly describe the tactics of Peloponnesian siege of Plataia. What did each side have in its favor? 2.75-78
[NOTE: If you are pressed for time, you may skip reading sections 79-103]
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