What do the early parts of the play suggest about the role of women in Greece? What were they expected to do for their husbands? How do women try to end the war? How do we know that their ta

from James Brophy, Perspectives from the Past
Lysistrata (pp. 122-129)
What do the early parts of the play suggest about the role of women in Greece? What
were they expected to do for their husbands? How do women try to end the war? How
do we know that their tactics cause distress for both Athens and Sparta? Given the play’s
content, how would it be received in the 21st century?
Alexander the Great and the Limits of Con-quest (pp. 150-153)
According to Arrian, what are the Macedonian grievances against Alexander? What do
these complaints suggest about the potential future of a united, hybrid empire? What are
the main arguments put forth by Alexander in his speech to the army? What rhetorical
strategies does he use to reach his listeners? How does Alexander try to make peace
between the Persians and Macedonians? Why does the seating at the banquet matter?
The Twelve Tables (pp. 170-174)
What appears to be the goal of the laws in the Twelve Tables? What are the laws trying to
protect? How is capital punishment used? How is corporal punishment used? Who
controls the family according to Roman law? What evidence in the law shows this?
Germania (pp. 185-192)
According to the author Tacitus, what are the core or central values that the Germans
follow? How do these compare to Roman values? What does Tacitus seem to value about
the Germans?
The City of God and Confessions (pp. 210-216)
According to St. Augustine, why was the city of Rome sacked? Why were non-Christians
spared? How does he use classical writers to defend his position? Why does slavery exist
according to St. Augustine? What was life like for a slave? What bothered Augustine the
most about stealing the pears?