Prisoners and the Peloponnesian War

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how the treatment of prisoners of war and civilians during the Peloponnesian War cannot be considered a fair measure of the Greek (and especially Athenian) ideals of justice and morality. It discusses how the treatment by the Athenians of defeated enemies, allies and citizens of neutral states can be considered unworthy of the enlightened ideals that have characterized the best in Hellenic civilization down through the ages.

From the Paper:

"Treating prisoners of war badly is a moral issue because it involves the universally recognized wrong of harming people who are at your mercy and really have no way to protect themselves from whatever you choose to do to them. The ancient Greeks were keenly aware that this was not right (immoral). The fifth-century Athenians were particularly sensitive to the issue because of the origins of their democracy. Their great lawgiver, Solon, was chosen by both the common people and the nobility to reform the state, which was in disarray because of struggles between the two groups. His reforms protected the weaker majority from the powerful, propertied minority and created constitutional mechanisms to make the state serve the needs of all classes. He set up representative bodies where all freemen could play a role in devising and passing the laws that affected the political, social, and economic life of Athens--and their lives. "

More papers on Prisoners and the Peloponnesian War:

• Analytical Essay # 89665 : "Thucydides and the Peloponnesian War"
• Essay # 64992 : "The Peloponnesian War"
• Book Review # 118050 : "The History of the Peloponnesian War"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: