Paper Topics and Examination Questions on Thucydides

1. At many times and places in the history of Western Civilization, Athens has been held up as a model of democratic life. To many people, Athens found an ideal balance between the freedom and good of individual citizens and the good of the whole community. Is this a plausible view of Athens? Why or why not? If you agree with this claim, explain how Athens reached t his ideal balance? If you disagree, explain how and why Athens was unbalanced.
   
   
2. What desires or motives lead Athenian citizens to contribute to the good of their polis, even to the extent of fighting and dying in war? How did the political life of Athens create citizens with these desires or motives?
   
   
3. To what extent were Athenian citizens truly free?
   
   
4. Compare ancient Athens and the contemporary United States. Are citizens of the US as committed to the common good as citizens of Athens?  Use the argument of Pericles’s Funeral Oration to help us understand why or why not.
   
   
5. At the beginning of his speech, Pericles suggests that deeds are more important than speech. Why does he say this? Does Pericles revise his view of the relative importance of speech and action in the political life of a democratic polis later in his speech?
   
   
6. Imagine that you are in the audience of Pericles' Funeral Oration. Take the position of one of the members of the audience in Athens (mother, father, sister, child, soldier, citizen, immigrant, slave) and write a letter to Pericles in response to his speech. Your letter should be guided by these questions: What do you think Pericles is asking of the citizens of Athens? Are you persuaded by his speech? Why or why not? (Pratt)