Abstract

The dissertation examines the role of nomos in Thucydides' History. The introduction argues that nomos serves a critical function in Thucydides' theory of human behavior, which is grounded in human nature and applies to all participants in the war. The Mytilene debate is pivotal in Thucydides' conception of the role of nomos; Diodotus' analysis of nomos is similar to Antiphon's On Truth. ;Chapter II investigates Thucydides' theory of human behavior. A city's nomoi interacts with human nature producing qualities which constitute its character and are responsible for its inner strength. For Athens and Sparta, these qualities are defined in speeches of self-assessment by Archidamus and Pericles. Diodotus describes human nature. The Corinthians explain the typical behavior patterns which particular character traits yield. Thucydides' concept of human behavior reflects the contemporary nomos/physis debate. ;Chapter III examines Cleon's view of nomos in the Mytilene debate. Cleon has a decidedly Spartan bent. He encourages absolute reliance upon nomos, rejecting the characteristics Pericles claimed were responsible for Athens' success. Cleon instead embraces traits which Archidamus identified as responsible for Spartan strength. ;Chapter IV analyzes Diodotus' perception of the role of nomos. Diodotus rejects nomos as a factor in decisions regarding the security of Athens, contrasting Cleon's proposed justice with advantage and insisting on the priority of advantage and the rejection of nomos. Diodotus' argument promotes the same rejection of nomos advocated in Antiphon's On Truth. ;Chapter V discusses justice and nomos in Antiphon's On Truth, identifying three arguments which criticize three aspects of nomos. In structure and content Antiphon's arguments are similar, in parts identical, to Diodotus' arguments. The similarities confirm Thucydides' contemporary intellectual interests; criticism of Diodotus' philosophical position demonstrates the importance of nomos in Thucydides' theory of human behavior and his concept of history. ;Chapter VI reviews subsequent episodes in Thucydides, demonstrating the effects on Athenian behavior of rejecting nomos. ;This study demonstrates Thucydides' close association with specific Sophistic ideas. It also offers a new assessment of Thucydides' methodology by uncovering an aspect of his theoretical foundation crucial for understanding individual episodes and his pedagogical purpose in the entire History