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

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

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

4. What does Athens do in Scione?

5. How do the Athenians respond to the many defeats suffered in 414 BC?

Short Essay Questions

1. After Gylippus' arrival in Syracuse, what immediate conflict began between Syracuse and the Athenians?

2. What unusual twist of fortune occurred for Alcibiades in 411 BC?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay on the subject of slavery during the time of the Peloponnesian War. Stress the differences between Athens and Sparta over the treatment of slaves. Compare these differences with the differences in attitude between North and South in the American Civil War.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about the strident training and discipline of the Spartan warriors. Show how that even though they were persistent underdogs in the Peloponnesian War, the Spartans behaved with uncommon valor. In preparing for this paper, you might want to look up the story of the Spartan 300.

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 948 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample