Athens: Its Rise and Fall, Book V — Reading Companion

Political Maneuvering and the Rise of Thucydides

Lytton portrays the post-Cimon era as a time when the aristocratic party needed a leader who could match Pericles in the assembly. Thucydides, brother-in-law to Cimon, was chosen for his oratory and political acumen. The author notes that Thucydides sought to unite the eupatrids into a cohesive body, likely through a political club, a tactic that initially strengthened the aristocracy but ultimately polarized the city. Lytton writes that this made the nobles appear as avowed foes of the people, driving Pericles further toward the democracy. The narrative is careful to distinguish Thucydides from the historian of the same name, focusing on his role as a faction leader rather than a military commander.

The Sacred War and Military Campaigns

The volume covers several military events: the Sacred War, the Battle of Coronea, and the revolt of Euboea and Megara. Lytton describes the Peloponnesian invasion and retreat, followed by the reduction of Euboea and the punishment of Histiaea. These episodes are presented as part of the broader struggle between Athens and Sparta, with Pericles' policies facing both external threats and internal dissent. The author's account is concise, focusing on strategic outcomes rather than detailed battle descriptions. The Thirty Years' Truce with the Peloponnesians is presented as a temporary respite, achieved after the ostracism of Thucydides removed a major domestic opponent of Pericles.

Sophocles' Electra: Dramatic Technique and Emotional Effect

Lytton's analysis of Sophocles' Electra is the most distinctive feature of this book. He praises the poet's decision to reveal Orestes' survival to the audience from the start, arguing that this avoids crude suspense and instead creates a refined compassion. The scene where Electra holds the urn of her brother's supposed ashes is singled out for its emotional power. Lytton notes that the audience's knowledge of Orestes' survival allows pity to be mingled with hope. He also comments on Electra's characterization, describing her as mature, unwedded, and concentrated on revenge, with her hatred sharpened over years. The analysis is technical, discussing the play's structure and the effect of dramatic irony.

Readers should note that this volume combines political history with literary criticism in an unusual way. The catalog subject 'Athens (Greece) -- History' only partially captures the content, as nearly half the excerpts focus on Sophocles' play. Lytton's approach is that of a Victorian man of letters, blending narrative history with aesthetic judgment. Those interested in the political events may find the dramatic analysis tangential, while students of Greek tragedy will encounter a period-specific interpretation that reflects 19th-century sensibilities about classical drama.

Reading about Pericles and Sophocles, I remembered sitting with my grandfather, who loved to talk about Athens the way others talk about old friends. That same warmth came back when I opened Mosaics of Grecian History — Background and Themes, finding the city’s crowded years arranged like quiet mosaics, each piece content to simply hold its place.