View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why are the Peloponnesian triremes better equipped?
(a) They are carrying missle launching equipment.
(b) They carry flamethrowing catapults.
(c) They are made of teak wood imported from Africa.
(d) Their prows are stronger and their rams reinforced.

2. What s Sparta's excuse to resume major hostilities against Athens?
(a) Athens refuses to receive Spartan envoys.
(b) Alcibiades informs Sparta that Athens is out of money.
(c) The continue raids in Lycos.
(d) Athens has allied with Argos against the Spartans.

3. As Spartan power grows, what happens in the Delian League?
(a) There is a change in political power within Athens.
(b) Old alliances are hasitly renewed.
(c) Manpower becomes a serious problem when they cannot pay.
(d) Revolution begins to foment throughout the Athenian empire.

4. Why does Thucydides create his own chronology for his history?
(a) He is not sure of exact dates during the war.
(b) There is a unified calendar of which he does not approve.
(c) He clearly intends it for a wider readership than just the Athenians.
(d) He wants to exert influence over the Grecian calendar.

5. What happens to the Athenian attack on Amphipolis?
(a) It fails.
(b) The Athenians are surprised by ambush.
(c) Sparta is there waiting for the Athenians.
(d) The Athenians easily win.

6. Where is Thucydides writing his History of the Peloponnesian War?
(a) In the Library of Alexandria
(b) In Sparta
(c) In exile
(d) Underground Athens

7. What happens in 411 BC to the Athenian democracy after the defeat at Syracuse?
(a) Athenian democracy collapses under the pressure of assassinations and military defeat.
(b) The democracy splits into three separate factions.
(c) Martial law is declared to restore order and democracy.
(d) All the leaders resign in helplessness.

8. Who arrives in Sicily and changes the course of the conflict with Athens?
(a) Brasias
(b) Gylippus
(c) Myron
(d) Agamemnon

9. How are the triremes used in naval combat?
(a) They are outfitted with dart throwing devices.
(b) They come alongside another trireme and break its oars.
(c) The move in quickly and are able to board the enemy ship.
(d) They aim for the enemy ship and ram it.

10. What is the final year in Thucydides' history?
(a) 411 BC
(b) 399 BC
(c) 404 BC
(d) 412 BC

11. What are the results of Corinth's being alarmed during 421 BC?
(a) Its borders are too exposed on all sides.
(b) Corinth, in particular, is alarmed as are numerous other cities and a series of alliances began to develop.
(c) Athens and Sparta agree to attack Corinth from both sides.
(d) Several spies are caught checking out their defenses.

12. What occurs between Athens and Sparta during the winter of 422 BC?
(a) They redraw the map of Greece.
(b) Athens and Sparta first sign a peace treaty and then develop an alliance of sorts.
(c) Diplomatic negotiations continue throughout the winter.
(d) Athens and Sparta set up their defenses for the next year.

13. What area remains as the seat of power after the defeat at Syracuse?
(a) Samos, Chios, and Sardis.
(b) Athens and the Delian League.
(c) Persia and Corinth.
(d) The Attica-Euboea-Boeotia-Peloponnesus Theater

14. What ultimatum does Athens give to Melos?
(a) Join the Delian League or remain neutral
(b) Pay tribute or be wholly destroyed
(c) Build triemes for Athens or face an embargo
(d) Surrender supporters of Sparta or face the consequences

15. How does the text of Thucydides' history end?
(a) In mid-sentence, seven years prior to the conclusion of the war
(b) With predictions about future wars
(c) With a summary of the entire war
(d) With Thucydides returning from exile back to Athens

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Thucydides think of Athenian actions in Scione?

2. What is the response to Nicias' communique during the winter of 414 BC?

3. What innovation does Gylippus utilize in the second battle at Syracuse?

4. How do scholars from other disciplines consider the value of Thucydides' work?

5. After military setbacks, what disagreement arses between Nicias and Demosthenes?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 762 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample