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Examining Primary Sources
Primary documents are records made at the time of the event, generally by someone who
witnessed the event. Information that is recorded years later and is based on second-hand
knowledge is referred to as a secondary source. Examples of primary documents are a
newspaper account, a diary, an official’s records, and a ship’s log.
One must always be careful with both primary and secondary documents because they
often reflect the authors’ bias. One must always reflect on the purpose of the document,
the intended audience, and the person who wrote the document. Not all documents can be
taken completely at face value.
A. Pericles Funeral Oration
Read “Pericles’ Funeral Oration”, an excerpt of a speech given by the great Athenian
politician Pericles. Pericles was speaking at a ceremony in 430 BCE commemorating
those who had fallen in battle during the Peloponnesian War.
1. Who was Pericles’ intended audience?
2. How would the intended audience have biased his speech?
3. Despite the biased nature of the speech, what can we learn about life in ancient
Athens? Refer to specific points related to life in Athens such as government, leisure
time, arts and culture, roles of women etc.
B. The Athenian Boy and Spartan Boy
Read excerpt from Plato’s “Athenian Boy” and Plutarch’s Spartan Boy”,
4. a) Give a brief background on each of the author’s of “The Athenian Boy” and “The
Spartan Boy”?
b) Why would these authors be reputable sources to examine life in ancient Greece?
5. What conclusions can we draw of daily life based on these accounts? Give specific
details of life in both Athens and Sparta.
6. Based on these documents, which city state would you have preferred to live? Explain.
C. Thucydides and the Plague in the Peloponnesian War
Search the Internet for Thucydides vivid account of the plague (both symptoms and
effects) in the Peloponnesian War (430 BCE).
7. How accurate do you think Thucydides description of the plague is? What factors
lend credibility to his account?
8. Briefly describe the symptoms of the plague as outlined by Thucydides.
9. Approximately 1/3 of the Athenian population died as a result of the plague.
Why, according to Thucydides, was the death toll so high? Why were people not
treated for their illness?
10. What impact did the plague have on Athenian society? Peloponnesian War?