Thucydides: The Peloponnesian War•Grade 7•dialectic Stage
The Mytilenean Debate
The Text
What You'll Learn
1
Comprehension
Explains the situation: Mytilene revolted, Athens voted for mass execution, then "The morrow brought repentance"
2
Cause & Consequence
Explains Cleon's reasoning: subjects obey "not by your suicidal concessions, but by the superiority given you by your own strength"
3
Meaning
Takes a position on who was right: Cleon (severity deters) or Diodotus (mercy is more useful)
4
Defense
Explains why the counterargument has merit
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