Athens Question Distribution and Successes

The grade distribution for the essay question was a fair distribution, but lower than I was hoping.

Grade %age
 A-level  5%
 B-level 10%
 C-level  25%
 D-level  45%
 F-level  15%

Quick and dirty interpretation of grades:

  • F: Nothing resembling an answer or even good information about the documents
  • D: Some information, but not an effective answer, because it never addresses values or one document isn’t addressed, or significant errors of fact
  • C: A real attempt to answer the question, addressing both documents. May be one-dimensional, shallow, or weak in one area.
  • B: Substantial discussion of both documents, mostly on point, with a reasonably well-supported conclusion
  • A: Detailed discussion of documents, careful consideration of context, strong conclusion.

Question: The Melian Dialogue and Funeral Oration are both critical sources in our understanding of Athens. What values does each portray Athens as having, and are they in conflict?

Here are some of the best answers from the test. Note that these are not necessarily perfect, but they did earn A-level or high B-level grades. (also, any typos or misspellings are probably my fault, not the student’s) Also note that all of these take the “conflicting” position, but there were also several well-done essays arguing that both documents pointed at sources of power for the state — conquest and citizenship — and noting that Athens, like many early states, did not treat all people equally even within its own borders.

The Melian Dialogue portrays Athens as having several key values. First, weakness should never be tolerated. If you are weak, you are left behind. Second, an extravagance of power should be displayed at all times, never faltering. Third, the Athenians do not value non-Athenian life at all. It is worthless to them. Fourth, it’s okay to submit to someone who is stronger than you. There is no right or wrong, only strength and the ability to exercise it. Fifth, hope is only for those with resources. If you have none, then hope is only a false comfort.The Funeral Oration also displays Athens as having several key values. First, weakness is understandable. In fact, it’s their duty to protect and help the weak. Second, refinement and humility are the same. There’s no need for lavishness or displays of power. Third, there is worth in all life. Even non-Athenians deserve equality and freedoms. Worth is define as political activity, not status or creed. If someone does not participate in politics, only then are they worthless. Fourth, it is better to die resisting rather than submitting to someone. Bravery should be valued at all cost. Cowardice is worse than death. Fifth, poverty does not determine quality of life. even the lowest of the low is able to work themselves into a position of great influence.

It’s easy to see that these works have quite a bit in conflict. Most of their values are polar opposites. The one main similarity that they do share is that they both show the Athenians as a prideful people. They only difference lays in what they take pride from.

 In the Melian Dialogue, the Athenians either gave the Melians the chance to fight and most likely die, or surrender and become their slaves. Also, when the Melians told the Athenians they were a neutral country, and were no harm to them, the Athenians told them that if they accepted the Melians agreement of not fighting them or having them surrender that other countries would see that as weakness on the Athenians part. It would signify that they were tooweak to fight them. Also when the Melians told them that not fighting would be a sign of dishonor, the Athenians said the conflict was not about honor but about self-preservation. The values shown in the Melian Dialogue is that the Athenians were more tyrannical than showing democracy, they cared about their perception to other countries, and that self-preservation was more important than honor.In the Funeral Oration the Athenian values were more clear cut. They shared their city with everyone, they never disculuded anyone from their city. The city practiced democracy and the right to a fair trial. They made friends not based on lavish gift but rather on thoughts and ideas. Also they never fled from anything but dishonor. Also they would rather die fighting than live in servitude.

Based on the values presented in each story I would say they do conflict. Athenians tell the Melians that it isn’t about honor but about perseverance, but then they say they flee from dishonor. Also they did not offer the Melians any choice that was even close to being democratic: the choices they gvae the Melians were tyrannical. The only thing that was somewhat alike was the fact that their perceptions were important.

The Melian Dialogue and the Funeral Oration of Pericles both show the Athenians’ strengths, although they emphasize different strengths. They are both written by Thucydides and it is almost as if he is showing an up side and a down side. Many believe that the Melian Dialogues show Athens in a negative light, but I would rather call it a realist view.We first look at how the Melian dialogues appear. It appears to show the magnanimous Athenians offering an opportunity for the Melians to surrender which of itself is good, right? Then as we examine deeper we see that this is not a good thing because to surrender is to give up all that the athenians themselves value. to give up freedom, the right to choose, independence, and sense of selves. These are all the thingsAthens values according to the Funeral Oration. If we look at it from a viewpoint of today’s international relations we see many parallels. And we must conclude that when bargaining from a disadvantage, the bargain is no bargain. We also have a chance to see the power and vengeance of Athens once the Melians refuse to surrender ans they kill every citizen and repopulate Melos.

Now we look at the values I mentioned above in the Funeral Oration of Pericles. First, Pericles honors the dead and modestly claims being unworthy to discuss their great deeds. Thankfully he finds the ability to do just that. Then he extols the great democratic system, inclusion of all, honor and bravery of the Great Athens and we begin to see these things as values along with their independence, nationalism and sense of self. (Sound familiar?) These same values they seek to extinguish in the Melians. He then asks the people to live up to these great values.

To conclude I will try to tie my rambling into cohesion. In the realist way of Thucydides, we see in the Funeral Oration of Pericles the honor and democracy of Athens and in the Melian dialogues we see the power and vengeance of Athens.