Example Of Article Review On Thucydides On Athens (5th C. BCE)

- Does Pericles claim that Athens is a generous city?
Pericles claimed that the city of Athens held an outstanding record for generosity, with a firm belief in practicing philanthropy. The Athenians believed in a friendship in which favors are granted rather than accepted. The person at the giving end was the one who was more loyal than the one at the receiving end. The favors were steadily bestowed upon in a way that the recipient got indebted to a state where the return of a favor in form of a gift seemed nothing more than a mere repayment. The donor neither considered the value of the favor nor the resulting consequence, thus when it came to charity, Athenians were the ones who were the least fearless of the outcome and the most confident in liberality.
- Is Athens an "isolationist" city, according to Pericles?
No, Pericles clearly defined Athens as, a city, open to the world. He further compared the military policies of Athens to that of the other countries who sought legal intervention to scrutinize foreigners. The policies laid were helpful for the foreigners to get a hassle free entry into Athens. There were no restrictions to the foreigners on learning and inspection, with the city thoroughly equipped to deal with any unalarmed enemies. Athens provided education opportunities ensuring a high discipline, yet the Athenians claimed to live a life of liberty. This liberty was the result of the confidence in the security system of the city that was just as ready to encounter every legitimate danger.
- Is everyone eligible to serve the city in Athens?
Yes, anyone and everyone have the right to serve the city of Athens, irrespective of the differences in ability, class and financial conditions. This was the practice of democracy aging back to the 5th century BCE. The administration of Athens believed in serving the masses rather than the handful affluent ones. The freedom was benefitted to all citizens equally. Every citizen had the right to lead a life of liberty without any indulgence and constraints. Yet, the laws were religiously followed. The system ensured an equal justice to all and chiefly to the protection of the injured which had to be meticulously followed, whether it was mentioned in the regulations book or just stated under the code which, although unwritten, yet could not be broken without acknowledged disgrace.
4. Would you call this speech a "patriotic" one?
Yes, this speech indeed portrays patriotism of Pericles towards his city. Although the speech was raised at the funeral of the Peloponnesian war soldiers, few of the statements like, "Our constitution does not copy the laws of neighboring states; we are rather a model for others than imitators ourselves”, “at Athens we live as we please, and yet are just as ready to encounter every legitimate danger”, these were in praise of the people and administration of Athens, the latter paragraphs state how the war heroes were determined to fight and sacrifice their life for freedom of Athens, instead of surrendering to slavery. Further statements like, “For Athens alone of her contemporaries is found when tested to be greater than her reputation”, “you must realize the power of Athens”, “you must reflect that by courage, sense of duty and keen feeling of honor”, “recognize that happiness comes from freedom and freedom comes from courage; never decline the dangers of war”, inculcates a feeling of patriotism.