- Published: December 10, 2021
- Updated: December 10, 2021
- University / College: University of St Andrews
- Level: Intermediate School
- Language: English
- Downloads: 24
Equality before the law (Thucydides pg. 40, section 37) In his Pericles gives the Athenians qualities that they ought to undertake to the equality before the law. He asserts that equality before the law promotes merit and limit political control of numerous by the few and no tyranny of the majority over corresponding individuals. Conversely, Sparta in contrast was an oligarchy and extent oligarchies around the Greece that opposed to the Athens that are mainly modeled hence spreading democracies (Thucydides 1. 77. pg 40)
Freedom (Thucydides pgs. 40-41, section 37)
He asserts that the government mainly acts as the epitome of the neighboring states as it practices democracy that allows freedom and the rule of the majority. The democracy was purely managed by the majority but not be the few individuals. Moreover, rotating of the public offices ought to undermine individuals virtues thus no person is held back by poverty so long as they offer good service to the city. The city is free and generous to the public activities of the citizens and corresponding daily lives (Thucydides 2. 37, pgs. 40-41).
City is open to all – not secretive (Thucydides pg. 41, section 39)
He asserts the management of the city is different from neighboring cities in regard to the preparation of war, and this makes it open to all individuals and does not expel strangers in order to prevent them from learning in the city. Moreover, the city does not depend on the secret preparation and deceit but the courage of action. It is is because the enemy usually trains hard from the youthful age, but they live relax life, and they still experience great dangers as the enemy (Thucydides 1. 77, pg 41).
Take council before action (Thucydides pg. 42, section 40)
Pericles asserts that seeking council is the best option prior to undertaking any action with the enemy. It is because they are extremely different from their enemy since they take council in matters of virtue. Moreover, they win the trust of friends via offering favors at the expense of accepting a favor. Friendship of an individual is paid by good deed and considered dull and flat since it does not entail virtue.
Work Cited
Taylor, Martha C. Thucydides, Pericles, and the Idea of Athens in the Peloponnesian War. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010. Print.