Week 6 writing assignment

First question: Describe the circumstances leading to the Persian Wars. Why were they significant in Western History?

The Persian Wars were instigated by increasing pressure between Sparta and Athens. Spartans were taking part in political affairs that had nothing to do with them. This upset the Athenians, who asked Persia for assistance(an alliance). The Persians looked upon themselves as the greatest nation in the world, and didn't want to make a one-sided agreement. They told the Athenians that they must contribute gifts of earth and water, to seal the deal. This act meant the Athenians were vowing loyalty to Persia. 


However, because of their ignorance involving Persian tradition, the Athenians didn't realize this symbolism.They gave in to the Persians, without a second thought of what it would entail. This misunderstanding in itself fueled the fire that would be the Persian Wars. It was further heated up, when Athens procured 20 of it's navy's ships to be used in an Ionian-Greek uprising against Persia!


Unbeknownst to them, this was a terrible and crucial move that infuriated Persia. They almost instantly demanded that all the Greek-city states donate earth and water to them. 
Clergy, or ''legates" were even sent to receive these peace-offerings, but were murdered about arriving. Upon hearing this, Persia declared war and sent its ships to Greece to demonstrate a show of force. 

The Greeks won at the Battle of Marathon, their first confrontation with Persia. Eleven years later, the Athenians had conquered Persia. Afterwards, they decided to form the "Delian League" with many other city-states. The purpose of this alliance was to defend against further encounters with Persia. It would later prove to be a disastrous decision, as a war broke out between the Delian and Peloponnesian leagues.

Significance: The Peloponnesian war forever altered the course that Western Civilization took.

Second question: What point was Pericles trying to make in his funeral oration?

Pericles's funeral oration was on democracy and the powerful abilities of the people of Athens. He discussed democracy as a valuable tool in achieving grand things for the country. Athens's democracy wasn't merely them making decisions because they had to; but because they had a noble heart in them to improve their community. It was a very appropriate speech for Pericles to give at a funeral, in honoring the deceased/proclaiming the pride he had for his peers.