Compare and contrast the two views from Thucydides about Greek - Essay Example

In course of the war, the leaders of Athens and Corinth, which was an alliance of Sparta in the war, made elaborate speeches to their citizens to inspire them. The speeches of Pericles and the Corinthians reveal their thoughts about the Athenian national character. In this paper we will compare and contrast the views of Pericles and the Corinthians in context to the Athenian national character. Although both these views differ from each other, they prove that the Athenians were more devoted towards their country than the Corinthians.

Pericles pays his respect to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for Athens during the war, by delivering a eulogy. In this speech, he describes the attitude and nationalistic thoughts of the Athenians. He refers to valor of Athenian soldiers and their loyalty for their city. “Such is the city for which those men fought valiantly, and died, in the firm belief that it should never be destroyed.” (Thucydides 43). He mentions that the soldiers preferred to lay down their lives for their country instead of enjoying the pleasures of the life.

Pericles points out that the Athenians were brave by nature. Courage came naturally to them; they were not trained still they fought fearlessly. And it was this quality of the Athenians that enabled to overpower their enemies during the war. “We are willing to go into danger with easy minds and natural courage rather than through rigorous training and laws, but we’ll turn out to be no less daring in action than those who are always training hard. (Thucydides 42). He compares Athenians with their enemies in the way they prepare for the war.

Through this comparison, Pericles brings forth the confidence of Athenians in their courage and their integrity. He states that they never tried to hide their secrets from their enemy by driving out strangers from their city. They relied only on their abilities and courageous spirit. “We leave our city