Download Peloponnesian war

1 From which ancient Athenian historian do we learn about the Peloponnesian wars.
Thucydides.
2 The 5th Century can be divided into 3 periods for Athens – The first till 479 was?
Persian wars.
3 The second – till 432 - the golden age or the age of whom?
Pericles.
4 The last period from 432 till the end of the 5th century was marked by what?
Peloponnesian war
5 The war was between two alliances, the Peloponnesian and Delian. Which Polis was the
leader of the Peloponnesian confederacy?
Sparta
6 What was the main cause for these two alliances to fight?
The Spartan jealousy/fear of the power of the Athenian empire/Delian confederacy.
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7 What was Pericles’ strategy at the start of the war, and why?
Bring Attica’s population within the city, and have a walled corridor to Pireaus for supplies, and
fight the Spartans by sea.
8 During the siege by the Spartans from 432 what unplanned event occurred?
Plague which killed 1/3 of the population including Pericles in 429.
9 Without men of the caliber of Pericles to lead, the Athens fell under the influence of
persuasive populist war lovers like Cleon. What do we know these leaders as?
Demagogues/ultra-democrats
10 Another rival party formed as the war dragged on – rich upper-class traditionalists wanting a
truce with Athens. What were the traditionalists called?
Oligarchs
11 In 422 Cleon dies, and the next year the peace-loving Nicias brokered truce with the Spartans.
What was this truce called?
The peace of Nicias/the thirty years truce
12
Which teachers had prolonged the war by making rhetoric (persuasive speech) so
important as a political tool?
Sophists.
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13 Which golden-boy caused the end of the peace within 6 years, and how?
Alcibiades (Pericles’ nephew) by promoting a campaign in Sicily.
14 Give 2 reasons for the Sicilian expedition?
To help Segesta against Syracuse (Spartan ally) /get food for Athens/ to interrupt Sparta’s
food supply/ Glory for Athens/Alcibiades
15 On the eve of the Athenian fleet sailing what happened that resulted in Alcibiades
being recalled to face charges?
Sacrilege against the Herms.
16 What happened in Sicily?
The Athenian force was essentially destroyed, and survivors enslaved.
17 What did Alcibiades do when summoned bak to Athens for punishment over the
Herms?
Hightailed it top the Spartans rather than face an Athenian court.
18 In 411 loss in confidence in democracy led to a coup by which group?
Oligarchs (the 400) then the more moderate 5000.
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19
The next year (410) democracy was restored and who was asked to become Strategos
(general), only to be exiled in 406 for losing the battle of Notium?
Alcibiades
20 In 406 Athens won its last significant victory at Arginusae. Give 1 reason it is remembered?
The trireme slaves were given citizenship/ the Generals were executed for not rescuing survivors.
21 What do we remember Socrates for regarding this?
He was the lone dissenting voice.
22 What was one of the consequences for the democracy?
It showed how democracy could easily turn into mob rule / Gave the vote to many inexperienced,
uneducated men.
23 In 404 Spartans had besieged Athens, starved it into surrender, and the Spartan Lysander set up
what ruling body.
The 30 tyrants/a reign of terror
24
1 mile of the 10 mile long walls were demolished, many able men were murdered, and Athens
lost the war – still one thing was not extinguished, and rose again within the year – what was 4it?
Democracy
25 In the late 5th century, who had the right to vote and speak in the Athens assembly?Male citizens
over 18 yrs of age of Athenian parentage
26 The government business was decided daily by the council or boule of 500. How was this council
chosen, and why 500?
By lot. Each of the 10 tribes giving 50 members.
27 In what ways were the judges (Archons), lawyers, and jurors different from our courts?
The judges didn’t give legal input - but chaired the trials, their were no lawyers- people spoke for
themselves , there were very large juries - 501, 1001 or more.
28 How long did trials take, and how was this achieved?
a day. By only having limited time to deliver speeches, with no cross examination.
29 There were no fixed penalties for a convicted person. How was the penalty decided?
The prosecutor, and the defendant both proposed one, and the jurors voted (on wax tablets).
30 What sort of penalties were generally given (give 3)?
Fines, death by hemlock, death by starving board, exile.
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