Thucydides and the West

The course studies the history of the Greek cities of Sicily and South Italy and their relations with mainland Greek states in the 5th century BC through the lens of Thucydides' penetrating account of the Athenian expedition to Sicily in 415 BC. Topics include: the earlier diplomatic and military involvement of Athens in the west; Syracuse and Syracusan politics; the background in Athenian politics and religion and the affairs of the Herms and the Mysteries; and Thucydides' presentation of individuals, especially Nicias and Alcibiades, compared with their presentation in Plutarch. The prescribed text for study in translation is Thucydides VI and VII (from M. Hammond (tr.), The Peloponnesian War (Indianapolis: Hackett, 1998). Candidates will also be expected to be familiar with Plutarch, Nicias. (Convenor: J. Prag, Merton). Translation: Thucydides VI and VII: M. Hammond (tr.), The Peloponnesian War, Indianapolis, Hacket, 1998, [Plutarch, Nicias (Loeb)]