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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is a major upset to Athens during 447 through 446 BC?
(a) Political leadership in Athens splits into several factions.
(b) Boeotia successfully revolts against Athens and regains her independence.
(c) Persia finally defeats the Athenian army.
(d) Athenian military goes on strike for higher wages.

2. What advantage does Athens have while Sparta occupies Attica?
(a) They are able to go around the Spartan forces and snipe at the rear flanks.
(b) Athens has the resources to buy off the Spartan forces.
(c) Sparta cannot get its troops across the rugged terrain.
(d) They are able to withstand a long seige.

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

4. Why is Book One considered difficult to read?
(a) It has many obscure references that cannot be corroberated.
(b) There is some evidence that someone other than Thucydides wrote this section.
(c) It is organized along thematic lines rather than being chronological.
(d) Book One assumes that the reader will know information not available to modern readers.

5. How is the book historically divided by modern scholars?
(a) Book One is usually looked at as a whole in keeping with Thucydides' method.
(b) Book One is divided in two seasons--winter and summer.
(c) Book One has historically been subdivided into two named segments although these do not exist as such in the text itself.
(d) Book One has historically been divided into four major parts with certain aspects emphasized.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where is is the Peloponnesus itself?

2. Which government did Sparta seek to form an alliance with in spite of earlier conflicts?

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

4. Book One concludes in the winter before hostilities erupt. What date is given by modern scholars for this time?

5. What is the stated purpose of Book One of Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War?

(see the answer key)

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