History of the Peloponnesian War

Throughout his work, Thucydides discusses the human motivations behind historical events. In Thucydides’s view, what are humans chiefly motivated by? Consider these points as you reflect on the text:

• What is the “true cause” of the Peloponnesian War, and how does it differ from the stated causes? 
• How do disasters and setbacks, such as the plague in Athens and the civil war in Corcyra, impact social stability and morality?
• What explanations does Thucydides offer for the success of demagogues such as Cleon?
• What are the signs of corruption in Athens, Sparta, and others in Thucydides’s work?

Teaching Suggestion: As students begin working on this Discussion/Analysis Prompt, consider encouraging them to explore Thucydides’s use of symbols, motifs, and language. How do figures in Thucydides’s history use rhetoric to manipulate those around them and disguise their true motivations? To deepen discussion, you might also ask students if they see parallels with modern politics or politicians.

Differentiation Suggestion: For auditory learners, consider providing audiobook clips of several important speeches from Thucydides (such as Pericles’s Funeral Oration and the Melian Dialogue) for students to listen to and analyze. Hearing the speeches might help them develop insights on their rhetorical qualities; you could even encourage students to compare audio versions of Thucydides’s speeches with videos or recordings of recent political speeches.