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Thucydides 2.47-54: The Plague

Note how this reading progresses, from the place of origin of the disease to its physical effects (2.49-50), to the social consequences (2.51-53).

Think back to the Plague. Where did it talk about the following concepts:

Law

Honor

Orderly funerals

Shame before others

Self-restraint

Planning

Now, what happens to these topics in the Plague?

Why do you think Thucydides has placed the Plague just after the Funeral Speech? It is clear that it followed the Speech chronologically, but he could easily have inserted intervening material. What is the effect of the juxtaposition?

What is the point of Thucydidesπ remarks about the oracle in chapter 54?