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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. What happens among pro-Athens allies at that time?
(a) They fight to reinforce their own democracies.
(b) Various pro-Athenian cities consider abandoning democracy for oligarchy.
(c) They form a new league excluding Athens.
(d) The abandon Athens and seek alliance with Persia.

2. After military setbacks, what disagreement arses between Nicias and Demosthenes?
(a) Demosthenes wants to withdraw but Nicias disagrees.
(b) Demosthenes feels they have enough troops but Nicias wants more.
(c) They quarrel over who is the top commander.
(d) Demosthenes and Nicias cannot agree on a battle plan.

3. What success does Cleon have during the time of Book 5?
(a) Cleon leads an Athenian expedition to Thrace where he recaptures some areas formerly subjugated by Sparta.
(b) Cleon is elected to lead the country for life.
(c) Cleon negotiates a cease fire with Crete.
(d) Cleon succeeds in reguilding the Athenian war machine.

4. In 422 BC, what is the financial condition of Athens?
(a) The Athenian treasury is being supplied only from conquered territories.
(b) Athenian wealth has grown far beyond what the Spartans had.
(c) Athens is bankrupt and has to forego paying its soldiers.
(d) The treasury has been largely expended and private subscriptions and extra taxes have been utilized for military expansion.

5. When Alcibiades is eventually recalled for blasphemy, what does he do?
(a) He hires Socrates to defend him.
(b) He goes to Alexandria.
(c) He flees to Sparta.
(d) He tears up the summons.

Short Answer Questions

1. Stylistically speaking, what is the quality of Thucydides' text?

2. What unusual plan does Syracuse put into operation against Athens?

3. What happens in Attica during the time of the battle at Amphipolis?

4. What is happening to the once invincible hoplite phalanx?

5. Why does the Athenian attack on Messana fail?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was so alarming about the revolt of Chios?

2. What unusual event transpired at Amphipolis in 422 BC and how did Thucydides view the results?

3. What happened in Athens after the revolt of Euboea?

4. What shift in the balance of power occurred immediately after the disastrous defeat of the Athenian army and navy at Syracuse?

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

6. What commonly held belief did Thucydides reject but observed its impact on the war?

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

8. What design changes in the new Peloponnesian triremes made them more effective against the Athenian navy?

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

10. What happened to the dialogue between Melos and Athens?

(see the answer keys)

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