2. The Delian League was started as an association of Greek city-states. Each city-state contributed to the defense of all the members. Athens, as the wealthiest and strongest member, quickly took control. When the Persian threat diminished, some city-states wanted to leave the league, but Athens prevented them from withdrawing. Pericles praised Athens as an example for the entire world, but not everyone agreed. Thucydides criticized the Delian League and the way Athens controlled it. Read each quotation aloud. Then answer the questions.
Pericles: “When our work is done, we are in a position to enjoy all kinds of recreation for our spirits. There are ceremonies and contests all year. In our homes we find a beauty and good taste which delight us every day and drive away our cares.”
Thucydides: “…the Athenians were very severe and exacting, and made themselves offensive by applying the screw of necessity [applying economic pressure] to men who were not used to and in fact not disposed for any continuous labor.”
Questions:
(a) Does Pericles or Thucydides describe Athens as a place with time for pleasant relaxation?
Type your answer here.
(b) Does Pericles or Thucydides describe people being forced to do hard work?
Type your answer here.
Pericles: “Ours is a democracy because power is in the hands not of a minority, but of the whole people.”
Thucydides: “In some other respects the Athenians were not the old popular rulers they had been at first; and … it was easy for them to reduce [defeat] any that tried to leave the confederacy.”
(c) Pericles says that Athens is a democracy. What does he mean by democracy?
Type your answer here.
(d) Do you think Thucydides would see Athens’s role in the Delian League as democratic? Why or why not?