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Thucydides' Account of Historical Debates and Speeches in Ancient Greece, Exams of Microeconomics

An analysis of various debates and speeches from thucydides' history, including the debate at sparta, pericles' funeral oration, the mytilenian debate, and the debate at melos. Thucydides' writing style and intentions are discussed, as well as the key arguments presented in each debate and pericles' attempts to inspire and persuade the athenian people.

Typology: Exams

2010/2011

Uploaded on 05/22/2011

jmann2174
jmann2174 🇺🇸

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Joe Mann
Professor Trumbach
History Homework Thucydides
How does he write his book?
Although Thucydides was an Athenian and a contributor to the problem, he writes a
generally balanced explanation of the conflict and all the sides engaged in it. In the
introduction to the piece he states, "My work is not a piece of writing designed to meet
the taste of an immediate public, but was done to last for ever".
Debate at Sparta
Even though the Corinthians were defeated twice they were still at peace, they sent
delegates to receive aid from the Lacedaemonians The Corinthians spoke last and state
that the Athenians are bent on the domination of Hellas. They also say if the
Lacedaemonians cannot guarantee the freedom of their allies, the latter will be forced to
find new protectors. Some Athenians were there and reminded people of the power of
Athens. They state it was Athenian naval power that removed the Persians out of Hellas
and maintains Hellas safe today. It says, “We have done nothing…out of the human
manner in accepting an empire when it was offered to us and then in refusing to give it
up. We are governed by three mighty reasons: honor, need, and profit.” However the
Lacedaemonians still decide to wage war after hearing these facts. The Lacedaemonian
king Archidamus argues against this decision, and was in favor of a diplomatic
alternative to Athens. The Lacedaemonians will be stronger if they take time to prepare.
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Joe Mann Professor Trumbach History Homework Thucydides How does he write his book? Although Thucydides was an Athenian and a contributor to the problem, he writes a generally balanced explanation of the conflict and all the sides engaged in it. In the introduction to the piece he states, "My work is not a piece of writing designed to meet the taste of an immediate public, but was done to last for ever". Debate at Sparta Even though the Corinthians were defeated twice they were still at peace, they sent delegates to receive aid from the Lacedaemonians The Corinthians spoke last and state that the Athenians are bent on the domination of Hellas. They also say if the Lacedaemonians cannot guarantee the freedom of their allies, the latter will be forced to find new protectors. Some Athenians were there and reminded people of the power of Athens. They state it was Athenian naval power that removed the Persians out of Hellas and maintains Hellas safe today. It says, “We have done nothing…out of the human manner in accepting an empire when it was offered to us and then in refusing to give it up. We are governed by three mighty reasons: honor, need, and profit.” However the Lacedaemonians still decide to wage war after hearing these facts. The Lacedaemonian king Archidamus argues against this decision, and was in favor of a diplomatic alternative to Athens. The Lacedaemonians will be stronger if they take time to prepare.

He also praises the exceptional qualities of the Spartan regime, by saying “courage, discipline, and deliberation”. Pericles Funeral Oration Pericles explains that the reason they are fighting is to preserve the nations the wealth of Athens. To not worry about forces who will take their fortunes. He tries to inspire tohe people to fight for the most important thing, since they are alive now, and this will be the most vital thing they’ll ever live for, if they don’t they’ll die anyway. Mytilenian Debate In the Mytileneans' surrender, a debate took place in Athens over their fututre. One group, led by Cleon, encouraged killing all of the men in the city and binding the women and children. The other group who was lead by Diodotus preferred more restrained handling in which only men who had been identified as leaders would be killed. The Athenian assembly hesitated and the order for mass execution was delivered on the first day of the debate but cancelled the next day. However those leaders were still killed without a trial. Civil War in Corcyra Pericles uses this as an example and emphasizes the consequences of this situation, stating that people were summoned to be executed under false accusations in this debate over democracy and oligarchy. He shows how the leaders manipulated the people in believing something that in the past they would never even think of doing. This is also an