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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Book 2.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What natural phenomenon affects the war at the same time as a failed peace envoy to Sparta?
(a) The plague appears in Lesbos, then Athens, and then Potidaea.
(b) A tsunami causes widespread destruction in the Peloponnesian isthmus.
(c) Cyclones sweep across the eastern side of Greece.
(d) An earthquake brings down much of Athens' walls.

2. What is the stated purpose of Book One of Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War?
(a) To discuss the daily life of people in Sparta and Athens.
(b) To show the importance of Corinth in the Peloponnesian War.
(c) To establish the credentials of Thucydides as a historian.
(d) To establish background and attempt to examine the causes of the war.

3. What is the general title given to the first twenty-three paragraphs of Book One?
(a) The Archaelogy
(b) The Introduction
(c) The Preamble
(d) The Apology

4. What event precipitates the beginning of the war?
(a) The beheading of Athenian envoys to Sparta
(b) An attempted sea attack agains Athens from Sparta
(c) The actual advent of hostilities comes about through a Theban surprise attack against Plataea.
(d) Word that Thrace had invaded Corinth.

5. Why is the Theban attack able to precipitate the war?
(a) False information has Thebes invading Athens.
(b) Athens and Sparta both embrace the Theban attack as the justification for, and opportunity toward, a greater conflict.
(c) It threatenes to weaken the Spartan strength and made immediate war necessary.
(d) There is a serious debate over which league would be allied to Thebes.

Short Answer Questions

1. Paragraphs 89 through118 are referred to as the Pentecontaetia and deal with what aspect of the history?

2. What opinion does Thucydides seem to have about Pericles as a leader?

3. What appears to be a mistake made by the Athenian forces under Pericles?

4. What puts a strain between Athens and Sparta after the revolt?

5. In the early days of the war, which power seems to have the upper hand?

(see the answer key)

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