Athens
This speech took place just after the end of the Peloponnesian war. Thucydides gave the speech in commemoration of the troops who perished in the battle. Both the funeral oration, as well as a plague that struck Athens in 430B.C., provides a unique insight into the strengths and weaknesses of Athens as well as the qualities of Thucydides.
Question 1
The idea of Athenians putting their petty wants aside and working towards the more significant city takes the central theme of the speech. Thucydides relates the unique qualities of Athenians which were redefining Greek virtues in a radical new light. The people of Athens obey public officials and submit to laws governing the city. Athenians do not engage in these virtues because they are forced to, but its because they want to. Furthermore, it is through the love of their country that Athenians are able to adapt to any situation and rise to the challenge. Thucydides talks of the unity of the Athenians. The military goes alone to foreign countries and faces no difficulty in overcoming their enemies. Thucydides mentions a typical kind of united strength revealed during war. When enemies overpower only a few Anthenian soldiers, the enemies gets proud as if they defeated the whole army. Om the other hand, when the enemies gets defeated by the small number of soldiers, they pretend to have been overcome by the whole army.
Weaknesses are vivid during the plague in Anthens. It is through moral weaknesses that led to easy exploitation of the plagues. Lack of attention to necessary public-health and safety measures facilitated the spread and worsened the effects of the plague. In addition, Thucydides compares the pandemic to war. In his observation, just like war, people who were not morally strong, became afraid and perished.
Question 2
Bravery is the greatest virtue that is observed in Thucydides. During the funeral oration, Thucydides advises the morners that they should understand the perils, and what glory holds for them and they should rationally go and meet their challenges. Thucydides potrays leadership skill. Thucydides wrote the history of war between the anthenians and the peloponnesians starting at the moment the war broke out until the end. In addition, in conclusion of his tribute. Thucydides acknowledges his obedience in the law based on the words he uses in the speech.