War, Democracy and Morality: Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War
The first CFI Faculty Colloquium took place January 21 - 23, 2000 at the Galt House in Louisville. Entitled WAR, DEMOCRACY AND MORALITY: THUCYDIDES' HISTORY OF THE PELOPONNESIAN WAR, it was led by Daniel Murphy and addressed some of the enduring questions raised by Thucydides' account of the struggle between Athens and Sparta which exhausted Classical Greece. Participants were provided with a copy of Thucydides' work, and read the book prior to the first session.
Schedule
Friday
6-7:00 - Registration
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Session One: Opening Remarks. "Why the War?" - Could the War have been avoided? Why did it persist so long? - Possible discussion topics: Cocyra, Megara, Speeches of Archidamnus and Pericles, the Peace of Nicias, Alcibiades. Soft drinks/Coffee and a snack will be provided.
Saturday
8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast
9:30 - 11:00 a.m. - Session Two: "Democracy, War and Strategy." - Which side waged war more effectively? Do democratic institutions help or hinder military efforts? How important were the actions of certain individuals in the war? - Possible discussion topics: the strategies of Archidamnus and Pericles, the Pylos and Chalcidician campaigns, Demosthenes, Brasidas, Cleon, Alcibiades, Nicias, the Sicilian Expedition.
11:00 - 11:30 a.m. Break
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. -Session Three: "War, Ethics and Morality." - What does the war reveal about the moral climate of Classical Greece? Did the war corrupt Greek morals? How did participants justify cruel actions? Did either side set a higher moral standard? - Possible discussion topics: revolution in Cocyra, the Mytilenian Debate, the Melian Dialogue, the schoolboys of Mycalessus.
1:30- 4:30 - Lunch on your own
4:30 - 6:00 p.m. - Session Four: "Thucydides and Power Politics." - How does Thucydides view international relations? What principles should govern political behavior? For Thucydides, does might make right? - Possible discussion topics: the Melian Dialogue, speeches by Pericles, Alcibiades
6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Dinner in Flagship Restaurant
Sunday
8:30 - 11:00 a.m. Brunch
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Session Five: "The Human Factor." -How important are individuals in Thucydides' history? What is his view of human nature? - Possible discussion topics: Pericles, Cleon, Demosthenes, Brasidas, Nicias, Alcibiades.
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Session Six: "Wrap-Up."