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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why is Alcibiades not brought to trial immediately after the vandalism for which he is blamed?
(a) The fleet leaves and he goes with it.
(b) Many people do not believe he has anything to do with it.
(c) The statute of limitations runs out.
(d) The government is slow to collect evidence.

2. What does Thucydides think of Athenian actions in Scione?
(a) He makes no mention of the Athenian actions.
(b) To him. it is an example of the degenerative influence of warfare upon civilization.
(c) He approves of the severe measures taken by Athens.
(d) To him, it is a necessary result of a difficult conflict.

3. Where are most of the skirmishes fought in 411 BC?
(a) The Hellespont
(b) In Crete
(c) In Miletus
(d) At Lycros

4. What is Alcibiades able to do in the Peloponnesus?
(a) Create an Athenian-dominated, anti-Spartan alliance.
(b) Establish new strongholds
(c) Surround Sparta
(d) Form a successful naval blockade

5. How does Thucydides write about important speeches and rhetoric during his time?
(a) He asserts a knowledge about the thoughts of individuals at key moments within the history.
(b) As a scribe, he is actually present for most of the important speeches and negotiations.
(c) He interviews important principal characters in the political area of his day.
(d) He has a good imagination for what is being thought and said.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Where is Thucydides writing his History of the Peloponnesian War?

3. What are the feelings of many Athenians leading up to the problems in Sicily?

4. What unexplainable surprising event takes place with the patriotic Athenian army?

5. How does a lunar eclipse enter into the Athenian plans to withdraw?

Short Essay Questions

1. In 422 BC, what caused the popularity of the Athenian general, Cleon, to rise?

2. What explanation is given to the stylistic density and complexity of History of the Peloponnesian War?

3. After the defeat at Syracuse, what was the condition of of the Athenian league?

4. What was the mindset of Athens after the defeats at Syracuse?

5. How did Alcibiades respond to his recall to face charges of blasphemy?

6. How did Syracuse put the Athenian forces on the defensive?

7. What feature of Thucydides' writing would not be acceptable in historical writing today?

8. How did the peace of Nicias finally break down?

9. Who was the charismatic Athenian who promulgated an anti-Spartan alliance in the Peloponnesus? What weakness did he seem to have?

10. What was Thucydides' intention for his history of the war in terms of future reference?

(see the answer keys)

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