Archives for November 2025

What does the fate of Medea and of those who mistreat and oppress her say to its own time?

Medea is an ancient Greek play written by the playwright Euripides and was first performed in 431 BC. The play premiered during a pivotal moment in Greek history: the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War, a conflict between Athens—then at the height of its imperial power—and Sparta and its allies. Because of this timing, historians often interpret Medea as reflecting anxieties about imperialism, justice, and the treatment of foreigners within the Athenian empire.

In 431 BC, Athens controlled a wide-ranging maritime empire and dominated numerous allied states through military force. While Athenians celebrated democracy at home, many subject states viewed Athens as authoritarian.

Why was the Peloponnesian War fought? What was its long-term significance? and What points is Pericles trying to make about Athens in his Funeral Oration?

The Peloponnesian War was fought because, after the Persian Wars, Athens became powerful, using its navy to dominate its allies and build an empire. Sparta, fearing Athens’ growing influence, eventually decided to go to war.

The war ended with Sparta’s victory, but all of Greece was left weakened. It destroyed Athenian naval dominance, drained resources, and shattered unity among the Greek city-states.

In Pericles’ Funeral Oration, he praises Athens and its citizens. His speech serves as both a eulogy for the fallen and a celebration of Athenian democracy.

Some key points Pericles makes include:

• Athens is a model city, admired by others.
• Athens is a democracy, giving power to the people.
• Athenians advance based on ability and merit, not birth or social rank.

Aristotle’s Ethics explains how to live a good and fulfilling life. For Aristotle, the ultimate goal of life is happiness. This happiness is not just about feeling good, but about living well by becoming the best version of yourself. He argues that happiness comes from practicing virtue—good character traits such as courage, honesty, and generosity. Virtue, for Aristotle, is a balance between extremes, known as the Golden Mean. For example, courage is the balance between cowardice and recklessness.