Athenian Weaknesses and Strengths Flashcards
(19 cards)
What were the main strengths of Athens during its empire?
Empire, tribute, soldiers, resources, navy, money
Athenian strengths included a strong navy, substantial annual revenue from tribute, and a large reserve of soldiers.
How much yearly revenue did Athens receive from tribute according to Thucydides?
600 talents
Thucydides provides a conservative estimate of Athenian resources.
What was the total number of hoplites stationed in Athens and its empire? [Thuc]
13,000 in Athens, 16,000 in the empire
This illustrates the military strength of Athens.
Who “accepted money or empty ships fromall those people who were unwilling to serve abroad?”
Kimon
Kimon’s actions reflect the Athenian approach to maintaining naval power.
What was the original tribute set by Aristides for the Delian League? [Thuc]
460 talents
This figure indicates the financial expectations placed upon member states of the League.
What was Amphipolis useful for? [Thuc]
Supplying timber for ship-building
This resource was critical for maintaining the Athenian navy.
Who set up the Athenian navy?
Themistocles
Themistocles’ efforts were foundational for Athenian naval power.
How many ships were present at Artemisium and how many were Athenian? [Herodotus]
271 ships total, 127 Athenian
This indicates the significant contribution of Athens to naval engagements.
How did Sparta deal with Athens’ naval strength? [Plut]
“he [Lysander] made the ships of his enemies empty” by having Cyrus pay the sailors 4 obols instead of 3.
How does Thuc describe Athens behind the walls?
“Every single thing that the city needed had to be imported, so that instead of a city it became a fortress”
How does Thuc describe the impact of the plague?
“the plague which did more harm and destroyed more life than almost any other single factor”
The plague had devastating effects on the population and morale.
Who were the notable leaders of Athens?
Perikles, Aristides, Kimon, Cleon
Each leader had varying impacts on Athenian strategy and morale.
What was Perikles’ strategy regarding battles with the Spartans? [Thuc]
Avoid direct engagement and rely on the navy
This strategy aimed to preserve Athenian resources and minimize losses.
What was the consequence of Cleon’s unreasonable terms during the truce attempt? [Thuc]
The truce failed
This illustrates the political tensions and challenges within Athenian leadership.
What did the Athenians do after the Battle of Arginusae? [Xen]
Executed 6 of the 8 generals
This decision reflects the rashness and emotional responses of the Athenian democracy.
What was the outcome of the Sicilian expedition for Athens? [Thuc]
Turned Hellas against Athens
The failure of this expedition severely weakened Athenian influence.
What did Nicias recommend regarding resources for the Sicilian expedition? [Thuc]
More resources should be committed
His aim was to convince the people to end the expedition but this recommendation backfired and heightened enthusiasm for the expedition.
What does the term ‘demagogy’ refer to in the context of Athenian democracy?
Manipulative political leadership leading to poor decisions
This often resulted in hasty military decisions that harmed Athens.
What was the result of the Athenian people’s failure to heed Perikles’ advice?
Athenian defeat
This highlights the importance of strategic leadership in wartime decisions.
