Rise of Athens

 

I. Democracy triumphant

        A. Democratic Empire--a contradiction in terms?

                1. Athens forms Delian League

                2. suppression of dissenting cities

                3. Delian League becomes an instrument of power

                4. Spartans and others threatened by Athenian domination

       

        B. Democratic pride--Athenians' claim to greatness

                1. Pericles wins popular support

                2. His assertion of Athenian superiority

                               a. Athens is the ideal polis; the "school of Greece"

 

II. Discussion of Pericles "funeral oration" (written by Thucydides)