In paragraphs 9 and 11, the author develops his claim about Athens' form of democracy by including Thucydides' perspective. Thucydides' account of the Peloponnesian War highlights the conflict between oligarchy and democracy, with Athens representing the latter.
In paragraph 9, the author notes that Thucydides "describes the Athenian democracy as a system that was constantly evolving and adapting to new challenges." This suggests that the Athenian democracy was a dynamic and flexible system that was able to respond to changing circumstances.
In paragraph 11, the author quotes Thucydides' description of the aftermath of the Peloponnesian War, where Athens was left "blasted" and in a state of "remorse and the sense of guilt." This suggests that the Athenian democracy was not invincible and could be vulnerable to external threats and internal divisions.
The inclusion of Thucydides' perspective in these paragraphs serves to provide historical context and support for the author's claim that Athens' form of democracy was a complex and multifaceted system that was not without its flaws and challenges.
Thucydides' account of the Peloponnesian War highlights the tension between oligarchy and democracy, and the author uses this tension to underscore the importance of maintaining a balance between individual rights and the common good in any democratic system.
The use of Thucydides' perspective thus helps to deepen the themes and ideas explored in the poem and provides a broader historical perspective on the nature of democracy and its challenges.