Pericles and the Peloponnesian War (Thucydides, Pt. 4)

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Күн бұрын

A continuation of our lecture series on Thucydides, author of The History of the Peloponnesian War. In this video we read excerpts from two of Pericles' most famous speeches, as recorded by Thucydides: the Funeral Oration and his Last Speech, which took place in context of a great plague that struck Athens. The Peloponnesian War was fought between Athens (the Delian League) and Sparta (the Peloponnesian League, which included Corinth). Certain timeless themes crop up in these speeches: liberty, democracy, the rule of law, patriotism, and masculine virtues of courage, discipline, duty, honor, strength, action, decisiveness, wisdom and knowledge. Enjoy these speeches from the greatest Athenian general and statesmen.
Timecodes:
0:00 Intro
2:53 Thucydides Trap
13:25 Pericles' Funeral Oration
23:06 Plague of Athens (430 BC)
32:43 Political realism/ Realpolitik
41:30 Thucydides' Judgment of Pericles
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Dr. Jonathan Barth received his PhD in history from George Mason University in 2014. He specializes in the history of money and banking in the early modern period, with corollary interests in early modern politics, empire, culture, and ideas. Barth is Associate Professor of History at Arizona State University and Associate Director of the Center for American Institutions at Arizona State University.
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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on this channel are my own and do not reflect the views of Arizona State University, nor are any of the views endorsed by Arizona State University.

Пікірлер: 14

@jimmyfaulkner1855 Жыл бұрын

Great video. I have recently been reading Thucydides’ classic work “History of the Peloponnesian War.” I can understand why this has been a classic for so long and helps illuminate the historical events that took place and is also useful when it comes to political philosophy and political theory. I am new to this work though and there was one passage that really stuck out to me. It is from the fourth book, chapter 50: “The next winter, Aristides, the son of Archippus, one of the commanders of a fleet which the Athenians had sent out to gather tribute from their confederates, apprehended Artaphernes, a Persian, in the town of Eion upon the river Strymon, going from the king to Lacedaemon. When he was brought to Athens, the Athenians translated his letters out of the Assyrian language into Greek and read them; wherein, amongst many other things that were written to the Lacedaemonians, the principal was this: that he knew not what they meant, for many ambassadors came, but they spake not the same thing; if therefore they had anything to say certain, they should send somebody to him with this Persian. The Athenians afterwards sent back Artaphernes in a galley to Ephesus, and ambassadors with him, who heard there of the death of King Artaxerxes, son of Xerxes, which took place about that time, and so returned home.” - Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War 4.50 This passage sounds very fascinating, but I do not fully understand since I am not fully aware or knowledgable about the exact historical content and historical context behind it. I was therefore wondering what is the significance of this passage from Thucydides? Thanks.

@johnqpublic2718 2 жыл бұрын

I've been waiting for this one!

@ProfessorBarth Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching Luke! 5th and final installment is now up: the Melian Dialogue.

@TheLiquidMix 2 жыл бұрын

I see why you chose Thucydides. Great way to apply to the past to the present.

@ProfessorBarth Жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching Jay, I'm glad you enjoyed it! It's fascinating to discover timeless truths in texts written millennia ago.

@NanoGamingGamer 2 жыл бұрын

28:30 this is what I've often thought too. If I had the billions, I would share the wealth by creating businesses within businesses. If you have enough money to own the world, then there is nothing wrong with improving it.

@tannerknighton Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video.

@ProfessorBarth Жыл бұрын

You're welcome, thanks for watching Tanner.

@libertycoffeehouse3944 10 ай бұрын

I think you are a little bit confused. Sparta had a mixed government. Citizens were Spartans. Each Spartan was given land and slaves work on the agriculture estate. Athenian citizens could vote but only about 25 percent of the population. Slavery also existed in Athens. Sparta had a popular assembly and two kings. Majority rule is one of the worst forms of government. The purpose of the Spartan government was to protect property of its cutizens. Athens governments purpose was to have majority rule. In reality wealthy citizens hired demagogues to sway the passions of the people. Athens was a disaster. Spartan government lasted much longer.

@libertycoffeehouse3944 10 ай бұрын

The Billionaire class owns the central bank. They see the constitution of the United States as a threat to both their power and their wealth. Remember what Rex Tillerson stated Exon Mobile is not an American company but an international company.

@libertycoffeehouse3944 10 ай бұрын

The Billionaire is an internationalist not an American though they may live in America. They own property all over the world.

@ProfessorBarth 10 ай бұрын

You need to watch this video, where I essentially address everything you're saying: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ftt5fN2B0crSoWg.html Also, Sparta did not have an elected assembly, though it appears that the government was popular among the Spartan citizens. Almost everything else you said I agree with, including your critique of democracy. I support mixed government.

@libertycoffeehouse3944 10 ай бұрын

Majority rule is not the law. An agreement (constitution)to govern is the law. A Republic is rule by law. Democracy is rule by the majority of people. Pericles is being a salesman here not a truth teller. He was stealing money from other Greek City states.