The Landmark Thucydides 5.1 To 5.116
A 12-question quiz on The History of the Peloponnesian War, based on The Landmark Thucydides and covering the tenth through sixteenth years of the war.
- 1.
Why did Brasidas conclude that Cleon was incompetent despite his past successes at Pylos, Torone, and Galepsus.
- A.
Cleon neglected to protect his artillery with an infantry screen.
- B.
Cleon insisted on assaulting enemy line formations in a column.
- C.
Cleon exposed his army to an enemy army without expecting battle.
- D.
Cleon had failed to make use of superior Athenian sea transport capabilities.
Correct Answer
C. Cleon exposed his army to an enemy army without expecting battle.Explanation
Cleon's past successes at Pylos, Torone, and Galepsus might have given him a reputation for being competent. However, Brasidas concluded that Cleon was incompetent because he exposed his army to an enemy army without expecting battle. This suggests that Cleon did not properly assess the situation and failed to anticipate the possibility of an enemy attack. This lack of strategic foresight and preparedness would lead Brasidas to view Cleon as incompetent despite his previous successes.Rate this question:
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- 2.
How was Brasidas mortally wounded in the rout at Amphipolis that killed 600 Athenians, including Cleon, at the cost of only 7 Spartans?
- A.
He took the wound while killing Cleon in a duel of the two commanders.
- B.
He took the wound while leading a surprise charge from the front.
- C.
He was struck in the eye by an arrow.
- D.
He took the wound in the ankle, where his mother had held him while dipping him in the waters of the Styx.
Correct Answer
B. He took the wound while leading a surprise charge from the front.Explanation
Brasidas was mortally wounded in the rout at Amphipolis because he took the wound while leading a surprise charge from the front. This suggests that Brasidas was at the forefront of the battle, leading his troops in a surprise attack. By taking the lead and charging forward, he exposed himself to danger and ultimately suffered a fatal wound. This strategy proved successful for the Spartans as they were able to kill 600 Athenians, including Cleon, while only losing 7 Spartans.Rate this question:
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- 3.
How long was the peace treaty made after the battle of Amphipolis between the Athenians and the Spartans and their allies supposed to last?
- A.
10 years
- B.
30 years
- C.
50 years
- D.
100 years
Correct Answer
C. 50 yearsExplanation
The peace treaty made after the battle of Amphipolis between the Athenians and the Spartans and their allies was supposed to last for 50 years. This indicates that both sides were aiming for a long period of peace and stability between them. It suggests that they wanted to avoid any further conflicts and establish a lasting agreement.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Why did Sparta enter into an alliance with Athens during the winter that followed the treaty made in the spring?
- A.
Several of the Spartan's allies, including the Boetians, would not accept the treaty.
- B.
The Spartan war party refused to accept the treaty.
- C.
The Athenian war party refused to accept the treaty.
- D.
Several of the Athenian allies, including the Corcyrans, would not accept the treaty.
Correct Answer
A. Several of the Spartan's allies, including the Boetians, would not accept the treaty.Explanation
During the winter that followed the treaty made in the spring, Sparta entered into an alliance with Athens because several of Sparta's allies, including the Boetians, refused to accept the treaty. This suggests that Sparta sought an alliance with Athens in order to strengthen their position and counterbalance the opposition from their own allies who were not in favor of the treaty. By forming an alliance with Athens, Sparta could ensure their own security and maintain a strong alliance network despite the resistance from their allies.Rate this question:
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- 5.
What new alliance appeared and created a potential threat to the general peace of Greece?
- A.
Corcyra and Thebes.
- B.
Syracuse and Lesbos.
- C.
Megara and Heraclea
- D.
Corinth and Argos.
Correct Answer
D. Corinth and Argos.Explanation
Corinth and Argos formed a new alliance that posed a potential threat to the general peace of Greece. This alliance between two powerful city-states could have disrupted the balance of power in the region and potentially led to conflicts or wars.Rate this question:
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- 6.
What was the difference between the two parties' initial failures to abide by the terms of the peace treaty?
- A.
Athens's failures happened because they could not get a majority vote to approve them.
- B.
Sparta's failures were dependent upon the actions of unwilling third parties.
- C.
None, the two parties both abided fully with the terms of the peace treaty.
- D.
None, neither party ever had any intention of abiding by the terms of the peace treaty.
Correct Answer
B. Sparta's failures were dependent upon the actions of unwilling third parties.Explanation
The explanation for the given answer is that Sparta's failures to abide by the terms of the peace treaty were not entirely their own fault. They were dependent on the actions of unwilling third parties, suggesting that there were external factors beyond Sparta's control that hindered their compliance with the treaty. This implies that Sparta may have been willing to abide by the terms but faced obstacles from other parties involved.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Why did the four Boetian councils refuse to ally with the new league constructed around the Argos-Corinth alliance?
- A.
They did not realize that the Spartan ephors favored it.
- B.
They feared that doing so would provoke a new war with Athens.
- C.
They feared that doing so would provoke a war with Sparta.
- D.
They saw no advantage to themselves in concerning themselves with the matter.
Correct Answer
A. They did not realize that the Spartan ephors favored it.Explanation
The four Boetian councils refused to ally with the new league constructed around the Argos-Corinth alliance because they did not realize that the Spartan ephors favored it. This suggests that if they had known about the support from the Spartan ephors, they might have been more inclined to join the league.Rate this question:
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- 8.
What Athenian politician's interference with the Argive-Spartan truce led to a brief Argive-Spartan alliance, then a revolution and an Argive-Spartan war.
- A.
Niceas
- B.
Pericles
- C.
Socrates
- D.
Alcibiades
Correct Answer
D. AlcibiadesExplanation
Alcibiades is the correct answer because his interference with the Argive-Spartan truce caused a series of events that led to a brief alliance between Argos and Sparta, followed by a revolution and ultimately a war between the two. Alcibiades, an Athenian politician, played a significant role in these events by manipulating the truce and contributing to the conflict between the two city-states.Rate this question:
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- 9.
What Spartan colony was surrounded by Athenian forces in the 5th year of the peace treaty and demanded to surrender?
- A.
Herclea
- B.
Melos
- C.
Sphacteria
- D.
Pylos
Correct Answer
B. MelosExplanation
Melos was the Spartan colony that was surrounded by Athenian forces in the 5th year of the peace treaty and demanded to surrender. This event took place during the Peloponnesian War, a conflict between Athens and Sparta. The Athenians sought to control Melos due to its strategic location and resources. The Melians resisted surrender, but ultimately, they were defeated and the Athenians took control of the colony. This event is known as the Siege of Melos and is a notable example of the brutal realities of ancient warfare.Rate this question:
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- 10.
What was the argument made by the Athenians in justifying their demand for a Melian surrender?
- A.
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law.
- B.
Athenian democracy was better than Spartan oligarchy.
- C.
The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.
- D.
From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.
Correct Answer
C. The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.Explanation
The Athenians justified their demand for a Melian surrender by arguing that in the natural order of the world, the strong are able to do whatever they want, while the weak must endure whatever suffering is imposed upon them. This argument suggests that the Athenians believed in the principle of might makes right, asserting their dominance and power over the weaker Melians. They believed that they had the authority and ability to enforce their demands, disregarding any moral or ethical considerations.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Why did the Athenians reject the Melian offer of friendly neutrality?
- A.
They did not trust the Melians because of their blood ties to Sparta.
- B.
They saw benefit in either crushing opposition or forcing surrender, but none in friendship.
- C.
They knew the Melians were simply hoping to buy time until Spartan reinforcements could come.
- D.
They were being encouraged to attack Melos by the Corcyrans.
Correct Answer
B. They saw benefit in either crushing opposition or forcing surrender, but none in friendship.Explanation
The Athenians rejected the Melian offer of friendly neutrality because they believed that it would not benefit them in any way. They saw more advantages in either completely crushing the Melians or forcing them to surrender, rather than forming a friendship with them. They did not trust the Melians due to their blood ties to Sparta, and they also suspected that the Melians were only hoping to buy time until Spartan reinforcements could arrive. Additionally, the Athenians may have been influenced by the Corcyrans, who were encouraging them to attack Melos.Rate this question:
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- 12.
AWhat was the result of the Melian surrender to Athens?
- A.
The oligarchs were removed and democracy was established.
- B.
Trade between the two cities increased and Melos became wealthy.
- C.
The population was forcibly exiled to Sparta.
- D.
The men were killed, the women and children were enslaved.
Correct Answer
D. The men were killed, the women and children were enslaved.Explanation
The correct answer states that the result of the Melian surrender to Athens was that the men were killed, and the women and children were enslaved. This suggests that Athens imposed a harsh punishment on the people of Melos after their surrender, resulting in the loss of life for the men and the enslavement of the remaining population.Rate this question:
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Jun 15, 2008Quiz Created by
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