Thucydides debates

[George T]

I wanted to ask, I believe in Thucydides’ work ‘History of the Peloponnesian War’, there are alot of speeches debating course of actions, for one way or another.

 

But I believe that in all of these instances it is always the side speaking last that wins the debate.

 

So, when the Spartan’s for instance are considering where to begin the war, one sides stands up and speaks as to why the war should not commence and the other side then stands up and puts up the arguments as to why they should go to war, in Thucydides’ work the side speaking last, always wins the debate, and therefore war is chosen.

 

Does anybody know of any article that talks about this?

 

thanks

[Mark]

One good place to start would be chapter 4 of Elton Barker's book
Entering the Agon:
Dissent and Authority in Homer, Historiography, and Tragedy (Oxford
UP, 2009).

Preview here:

http://books.google.com/books?id=xtFseUmlCY0C&lpg=PP1&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false