History of the Peloponnesian War · Theme
Identity and Ethnicity
How History of the Peloponnesian War develops Identity and Ethnicity.
The narrative emphasizes the role of ethnic divisions, particularly between Dorians and Ionians, in shaping alliances and enmities, as seen in the Corinthians' appeal to Dorian solidarity and the catalog of forces fighting for and against Syracuse.
Where it surfaces
- The State of Greece from the Earliest Times to the Commencement of the Peloponnesian War
The gradual adoption of the name 'Hellenes' and the distinction between Hellenes and barbarians are explored, showing the construction of collective identity.
- XI
The purification of Delos and revival of the Delian games emphasize Athenian claims to Ionian heritage and religious leadership.
- XVIII
The detailed account of Sicily's settlement by diverse groups (Sicanians, Trojans, Sicels, Phoenicians, Hellenes) underscores the island's ethnic complexity and its implications for Athenian strategy.