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In all cases we have filmed the best available copy. University Microfilms International 300 N. ZEEB RD„ ANN ARBOR. Ml 48106 8121791 G ervasi , Ro bert A lfred THE CONCEPT OF ‘ELPIS’ IN THUCYDIDES The Ohio State University PH.D. 1981 University Microfilms International300 N. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106 THE CONCEPT OF ELPIS IN THUCYDIDES DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for i the Degree Doctor of Philosophy In the Graduate School of The Ohio State University ftr Robert A. Gervasi, H.A.B., M.A. * * * * * The Ohio State University 1981 Reading Gonndttee: Approved By Dr. June W. Allison Dr. Charles L. Babcock Dr. Robert J. Lmardon To Kan i i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank Prof. R. J. Lenardon for his constant oioouragement both in the development of this dissertation and throughout ny graduate program. Thanks ace due also to Prof. J. W. Allison and Prof. C. L. Babcock for their help­ ful advice during the revisions of the draft. Finally, X am especially grateful to Prof. A. G. Woodhead for his friendship, couisel, and hospitality during ny studies at Corpus Christ! College, Cartridge, in 1975-1976. i i i v m Jine 2, 1950 ............................. Bom - New York, New York 1972 ............................................ H.A.B. (Surma cun laude), Xavier Uiiverslty, Cincinnati, Ohio 1973 ............................................ M.A., The Ohio State University, Coludna, Ohio Stumer, 1974 ............................. Hill Scholar, The American School of Classical Studies at Athena 1973-1975 .............................. Teaching Associate, The Ohio State* University, Colurbus, Ohio 1975-1976 .......... Dissertation Research Student, Corpus Christ! College, Canbridge MASTER'S THESIS "Healing as a Dramatic Motif In the Iliad ," The Ohio State University, Decqiher, 1973. FIELDS OF STUOT Major Field; Creek Literature Studies in Thucydides. Prof. A. 6. Woothead Studies in Homer. Prof. R. J. Lenardon Studies in Plato's Symposiun. Prof. S. V. Tracy iv TABLE OF canons Em * Acknowledgements i l l Vita iv Introduction 1 I. Euripides, Thucydides and die Syntax 9 of Eloia H . Semantic Problem and Thucydidean Usage 31 m . Pericles and the Athenian Character 44 XV. The Mytilenaean Debate 73 V. The Melian Dialogue 93 VI. The Slcilioi Expedition 106 Conclusion 129 Appendix: Aesdrylua, Thucydides and Elpis 135 Bibliography 151 4 INTRODUCTION Even a cursory reading of Thucydides' History will suggest the prominent position which intelligent planning holds in successful p o litical action. Xunesia, pronoia, logismos ■ gnome—these words constantly recur in Thucydides' pages, indicative of th eir decisive role as assets of the good statesman.1 Indeed, Thucydides himself, in the celebrated passage dealing with his aims and methods, states quite clearly the practical purpose and orientation of his work: 8m i lib flovXjeovrai r&v t t yivoftJrb okohup teal t u p ptXMpruv wort aZOit xarb rb bvOpuirwo* towvtmp koI mpavXrjtrtuv ItrtvBai, tylkifui Kplvtur avrb bpmiimit t£tu But if anyone desires to examine the clear truth about the events that have taken place, and about those which are likely to take place in the future—in the order of human things, they will resemble what has occurred— and p renounces what I have written to be useful, I shall be content. (1.22.4)2 This statement underlines the basically forward-looking nature of the historian's approach. The past can provide the basis of rational calculation about the future; ta rellonta, despite its obscurity, is as nuch, i f not more, of a concern as ta genomena. This prognostic aspect of Thucydides' work has been much discussed.3 I stress it at the outset because i t furnishes a valuable clue not only to Thucydides' attitude toward historiography, but also to his depiction of the motivational forces in political action. Intelligence and knowledge of the past ace important both to political leaders and to political analysts, and Thucydides Intends his work to be useful to future men of affairs. It is axiomatic, however, that the future always Involves the unknown and the fortuitous, which the statesman cannot avoid, even i t he would.^ For even when a ll the relevant data are analyzed, action is taken not with an absolute certainty of the outcome, j but at most with a reasoned expectation. It is the inevitable element of risk, of strategy adopted in the face of the unknown, ! vhich 1s included in the concept of elpis. This study is an investigation of die concept of elpis as it appears in Thucydides. The range of ideas suggested by the word is by no means limited. It appears often—149 times in all its fbrmsS—and at many crucial points, and i t would be valuable i to understand the field of meaning within vhich Thucydides uses the word. In his analysis of hunan behavior and the well-springs of political action, Thucydides seems to have regarded the idea i of hope much as we do today—as a s one times unreliable but generally indispensable motivational force. At die same time, elpis has long been regarded in an unfavorable light, largely because of the b rillia n t and provocative ideas of F.M. Comforrf.^ According to Comfcrrd, much of die History, specifically Books 4-7, is patterned on the structure of Aeschylean tragedy. The heroine of the drama is Athens, whose rise is aided by tudie in the Pylos affair, whose success makes her hybristic and covetous, aid vho pays retribution for her covetousness by the disastrous defeat In Sicily. Elpis, In this view, operates as one of the agents of Athens' greed and delusion, which leads her on to uidertake that fatal expedition. "Elpis*1, Comfort! wrote, "Is the passion vhich deludes nan to ooint on the future as if he could perfectly control it: and thus she Is a phase of Infatuate pride, a tenptress who besets prosperity."? To be sure, Gomford's general view has been criticized; his book was regarded with some anblvalence even a t the time of publica­ tion.® Yet In the main he has exerted a powerful influence on the course of Thucydldean studies, even i f that Influence Is only fe lt sihUndnally. V.J. Hunter, for exanple, regards hope as one of "the emotions which substitute for careful calculation", ju st as H.P. Stahl speaks of It as "ein schlechter Planfaktor". J.J.A. Schrljen reiterates Gomford's theory of die negativity of elpis In the History, aid both P. Huart and J. de RattLlly aver that elpis appears as a baleful Influence throughout Greek literature ("we dangereuse illusion"; "how l i t t l e relationship there is between hope and reality "). The views of H. North and A.W. Gotnne, cxi the other hand, are more balanced, insofar as they adatt the possibility that elpis can be rational and beneficial.^ Even if we are well aware that Gomford's thesis is extreme, we should nevertheless like to explain the sense of conscious artistry which we inevitably feel Is present in the History. Comford's analysis tends to do precisely that, and there Is considerable merit in his approach, with its special focus on the dramatic quality of the History. The generally accepted evaluation of elpis as "a phase of Infat uate pride", however, did not square either with ny own experience of people and events or with what I tnderstood Thucydides' view to be. 1b regard elpla unequivocally as a negative characteristic in Thucydides, and to regard Thucydides himself as a pessimist, smnpd to me to diminish the value of the History as a ktana es aiei. I believe the historian was quite serious about the future usefulness of his work. If in the final au&ysis, horieter, we regard Thucydides as a pessimist and the History as "the record of a failure",^ of dhat value Is the work in facing, nidi less solving, the critical which confront the world today? Leaders certainly need insight into political behavior and m iinteratending of humn nature.

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