Melian Dialogue DBQ Rough Draft
Claim Statement: The Melian Dialogue teaches the reader that, in 416 BCE, Athens’ foreign policy and actions were strongly informed by the Athenian belief and focus on realism, preserving the law of nature, and the natural order of events.
In 416 BCE, Athens’ belief, policy, and ideal of realism is evident through their preference for knowledge-based spiritual faith and rejection of the metaphysical. The Melian Dialogue, recorded by Thucydides in 416 BCE, recounts the discussion between representatives from the empire of Athens and the small island of Melos concerning the addition of Melos into the alliance of the Delian League. The Athenian speakers take a strong, confident, unwavering stance on the issue, …show more content…
The Athenians believe the gods intended a nation to rise to power, become and empire, and conquer other nations. This, the Athenians believed, was realistic, followed the law of nature, and was the rightful order of events, as embodied by the idea of realism. Furthermore, the Athenians believed that the upholding of the law of nature and the natural order of events was what the gods wanted the mortal people to do. Therefore, the Athenians belief in their divine right to conquer and rule all became evident in and influenced their foreign relations and policy. Because the Athenians believed they were, in fact, upholding the law of nature and the natural order of events, their empire credited their aggressive military actions to the will of the gods. Athenian foreign policy was greatly influenced and affected by the Athenian’s goal to preserve the law of nature and sustain the natural order of events, and ultimately, their overall policy of
Claim Statement: The Melian Dialogue teaches the reader that, in 416 BCE, Athens’ foreign policy and actions were strongly informed by the Athenian belief and focus on realism, preserving the law of nature, and the natural order of events.
In 416 BCE, Athens’ belief, policy, and ideal of realism is evident through their preference for knowledge-based spiritual faith and rejection of the metaphysical. The Melian Dialogue, recorded by Thucydides in 416 BCE, recounts the discussion between representatives from the empire of Athens and the small island of Melos concerning the addition of Melos into the alliance of the Delian League. The Athenian speakers take a strong, confident, unwavering stance on the issue, …show more content…
The Athenians believe the gods intended a nation to rise to power, become and empire, and conquer other nations. This, the Athenians believed, was realistic, followed the law of nature, and was the rightful order of events, as embodied by the idea of realism. Furthermore, the Athenians believed that the upholding of the law of nature and the natural order of events was what the gods wanted the mortal people to do. Therefore, the Athenians belief in their divine right to conquer and rule all became evident in and influenced their foreign relations and policy. Because the Athenians believed they were, in fact, upholding the law of nature and the natural order of events, their empire credited their aggressive military actions to the will of the gods. Athenian foreign policy was greatly influenced and affected by the Athenian’s goal to preserve the law of nature and sustain the natural order of events, and ultimately, their overall policy of