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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 terms Hamilton uses to describe the works of Sophocles?

2. The Persian plan to defeat the Ten Thousand was to _________________________________.

3. Thucydides felt that the lesson of the Peloponnesian War was that _____________________________________.

4. Who wrote the first Greek tragedy?

5. How many decades separated Sophocles from Aeschylus?

Short Essay Questions

1. Sophocles and Aeschylus lived in different times in Athens. How did the Athens of Sophocles differ from the Athens of Aeschylus?

2. Why was Xenophon exiled by Athens?

3. Explain why the Theater of Dionysus was a religious experience for the audience.

4. How are the characters in a Greek play viewed?

5. How does Sophocles feel about fate?

6. What does it mean to say that the Greeks are concerned with life and abstractions from life?

7. To many Greeks, prosperity and wealth are the cause of misery. What was the cause of misery to Aeschylus?

8. What are the four elements in every tragedy?

9. What are the characteristics of Greek tragedy?

10. Who are the four great tragedy writers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It is said that if one wants to learn the ethics and values of a society, one should examine the work of the dramatists and writers of the time. Why? What is it that is reflected in the literature that can't be found anywhere else? Is this also true of the ancient Greeks?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the elements of Greek tragedy and why it is so enjoyable to the audience. What is it that appeals to the audience? Why isn't it sad or depressing?

Essay Topic 3

What is the austere school to which Pindar belonged? What are the implications of this school? What were the effects of this school and why?

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