Study Guide for the History of the Peloponnesian War
Study Guide
Fall 2012
POS 340
ASU
Figures:
Lycurgus
Solon
Pericles
Aeschylus
Sophocles
Orestes
Athena
Antigone
Creon
elenchos nomos demos idiotes polis agon paideia demagogue philosopher king/queen theory of the Forms the Good divided line allegory of the cave myth of Er cycle of decline
5 types of constitutions
Socratic ignorance
examined life soul/psyche funeral oration
Peloponnesian War
Mytilenian debate
Melian dialogue heroic virtues
Greek Terms: politeia techne arête eros
Concepts:
myth of Gyges city in speech
3 classes of the city
3 parts of the soul guardians censorship true lie noble lie/myth of the metals women guardians
Dichotomies:
knowledge vs. opinion appearance vs. reality democracy vs. oligarchy reason vs. experience kinship (family) vs. citizenship (city)
Works:
Oresteia
Antigone
History of the Peloponnesian War
Apology
Crito
Republic (Politeia)
Essay Questions: You will be given a choice of two questions out of the four listed below. The answers to the questions should be at least one page but no more than two pages. You will submit the answers via
SafeAssign on Blackboard in the form of a word document. I will provide further details about submission as the exam nears.
1. Plato and Thucydides are both critical of democracy. Describe each thinker’s criticism of democracy. What are the similarities and/or differences between these two lines of critique? Who in your judgment is more persuasive or convincing? Why?
2. Plato draws a distinction between good lies, which are useful, and bad lies, which are harmful. According to Plato, what is the difference between these two types of lies and what effects can we expect them to have on citizens? Are you convinced that political lies are sometimes necessary? Why or why not?
3. Pericles and Socrates have starkly different opinions on what qualifies someone to participate in politics. By referring to Socrates’s
Fall 2012
POS 340
ASU
Figures:
Lycurgus
Solon
Pericles
Aeschylus
Sophocles
Orestes
Athena
Antigone
Creon
elenchos nomos demos idiotes polis agon paideia demagogue philosopher king/queen theory of the Forms the Good divided line allegory of the cave myth of Er cycle of decline
5 types of constitutions
Socratic ignorance
examined life soul/psyche funeral oration
Peloponnesian War
Mytilenian debate
Melian dialogue heroic virtues
Greek Terms: politeia techne arête eros
Concepts:
myth of Gyges city in speech
3 classes of the city
3 parts of the soul guardians censorship true lie noble lie/myth of the metals women guardians
Dichotomies:
knowledge vs. opinion appearance vs. reality democracy vs. oligarchy reason vs. experience kinship (family) vs. citizenship (city)
Works:
Oresteia
Antigone
History of the Peloponnesian War
Apology
Crito
Republic (Politeia)
Essay Questions: You will be given a choice of two questions out of the four listed below. The answers to the questions should be at least one page but no more than two pages. You will submit the answers via
SafeAssign on Blackboard in the form of a word document. I will provide further details about submission as the exam nears.
1. Plato and Thucydides are both critical of democracy. Describe each thinker’s criticism of democracy. What are the similarities and/or differences between these two lines of critique? Who in your judgment is more persuasive or convincing? Why?
2. Plato draws a distinction between good lies, which are useful, and bad lies, which are harmful. According to Plato, what is the difference between these two types of lies and what effects can we expect them to have on citizens? Are you convinced that political lies are sometimes necessary? Why or why not?
3. Pericles and Socrates have starkly different opinions on what qualifies someone to participate in politics. By referring to Socrates’s