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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. From a more historical point of view, how does the peace of Nicias seem to scholars?
(a) It appears to be a gradual cessation of hostilities.
(b) It seems to be misnamed for Nicias and should be credited to Cleon.
(c) It looks like a failed effort at diplomacy.
(d) It does not look like a peace at all.

2. How does Thucydides picture certain charismatic generals during the years of the Peloponnesian War?
(a) Able single-handedly to turn the fortunes of the people they serve.
(b) Men who have great personalities but little war experience.
(c) A lot of talk and no action
(d) Of little significance to the outcome of the war

3. What happens in the second battle at Syracuse?
(a) Gylippus leads his troops to victory.
(b) Nicias finally takes aggressive action.
(c) Cleon comes and takes command of the Athenians.
(d) Alcibiades arrives with reinforcements.

4. What military involvement in 416 BC is hotly argued in Athens?
(a) Conscripting Helots to fight the Spartans
(b) Sending hoplites to guard the borders of Attica
(c) Mounting an invasion of Italy
(d) Sending a fleet again to Sicily

5. What is the first step in the unraveling of the Athenian force?
(a) There starts to be a lot of defections.
(b) The raids on Peloponnesus become ineffective.
(c) Money is playing out in Athens.
(d) The Spartan presence in fortified Decelea causes difficulty in Athens, and Sparta sends reinforcements to Syracuse.

6. What does Thucydides think of Athenian actions in Scione?
(a) He makes no mention of the Athenian actions.
(b) To him, it is a necessary result of a difficult conflict.
(c) He approves of the severe measures taken by Athens.
(d) To him. it is an example of the degenerative influence of warfare upon civilization.

7. What is the final year in Thucydides' history?
(a) 412 BC
(b) 399 BC
(c) 411 BC
(d) 404 BC

8. Why is Book 5 of the History of the Peloponnesian War such a short book?
(a) Much of the history during that time is lost.
(b) There is only one battle during that time.
(c) There are fewer conflicts spread out over a number of years.
(d) Thucydides has to leave Athens in a hurry.

9. How does the text of Thucydides' history end?
(a) With predictions about future wars
(b) With Thucydides returning from exile back to Athens
(c) In mid-sentence, seven years prior to the conclusion of the war
(d) With a summary of the entire war

10. What are the feelings of many Athenians leading up to the problems in Sicily?
(a) Many feel that Nicias iss unneseccarily inactive.
(b) Many Athenians feel that Sicily is a simple matter.
(c) Many feel that Cleon needs to be in Sicily.
(d) Most feel that Athens has become invulnerable.

11. What charismatic individual rises to prominence in 420 BC?
(a) Pericles
(b) Nicias
(c) Alcibiades
(d) Socrates

12. What does Athens do in Scione?
(a) Gains another ally
(b) Executes the men and enslaves the women and children
(c) Prepares for a long winter
(d) Establishes a new military base of operations

13. What unusual plan does Syracuse put into operation against Athens?
(a) Syracusans build a fleet and attack the Athenian navy.
(b) Syracusans lead land attacks.
(c) Syracuse sends sick civilians into the Athenian ranks to spread disease.
(d) Syracusans put out a rumor that the city has the plague.

14. What are many Syracusans advocating prior to the arrival of Gylippus?
(a) Calling for spartan intervention
(b) Abandoning the region
(c) A settlement with Athens
(d) Joining the Delian League

15. What innovation does Gylippus utilize in the second battle at Syracuse?
(a) Explosives
(b) Battering rams
(c) Catapults
(d) Cavalry

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the historic view of the years from 421 to 413 BC?

2. Why does Thucydides suddenly include more information on Peloponnesian events?

3. What does Sparta do in 414 BC?

4. Where are most of the skirmishes fought in 411 BC?

5. What is the significance of Thucydides' inclusion of the story of Aristogiton and Harmodius?

(see the answer keys)

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