A New leader: Brasidas
Readings
Thucydides, Full text (optional reading if you have the time) of Brasidas' activities can be found in Book 4.66-5.13 (Link to Perseus Project)
If you do not have time to read all of Thucydides, check out Brasidas on Wikipedia and then, read his speeches below.
- The first is to the Acanthians. The Acanthians were allies of Athens but Brasidas convinced them (by words and force) to switch sides to Sparta: read his speech here to the Acanthians).
- The second speech is before the Battle of Amphipolis, a city that Brasidas besieged and captured in 424 BCE. Here is the Perseus Link (Book 5.6- 5.10. His speech begins in section 8 and ends on section 10].
- Who was Brasidas and what qualities as a leader does he exhibit?
- What advice does he give the Acanthians and his troops?
- Why do you think the Spartans follow him? Does it matter that he is not a king?
- How does Brasidas compare to modern leaders in his political abilities to lead and convince others to follow?
