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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What are the results of Corinth's being alarmed during 421 BC?

2. Why does Thucydides suddenly include more information on Peloponnesian events?

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

4. What makes it plausible that Thucydides begins his history from first-hand knowledge?

5. What removes Syracuse, Sicily, and Italy from the text of Thucydides' history?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is today generally referred to as the peace of Nicias?

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

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

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

7. What historical turning point is inaugurated by Athens in 415 BC?

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

9. How did the arrival of Gylippus made a difference in the Athenian attack on Syracuse?

10. Besides a war history, what value is placed on the History of the Peloponnesian War?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Using information about motives and prejudices among both the Spartans the Athenians, write a paper about the absurdity of war. Evaluate what was actually accomplished from the Peloponnesian War. Include your assessment of war in general.

Essay Topic 2

Go through the history and identify some of the major mistakes Athens made during the Peloponnesian War. Be specific about what the mistakes were and how they affected the outcomes. Use other examples from the book than the major mistake of the invasion of Syracuse.

Essay Topic 3

In the time that Thucydides was writing, it was acceptable to put elements of creativity into a historical manuscript as though it were observed information. Many of the speeches delivered in both Athens and Sparta are reported as though Thucydides was actually present at the time. This practice would not be acceptable today. Give examples of this from the History of the Peloponnesian War and comment on their authenticity.

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