Read this excerpt from The History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides.Our constitution does not copy the laws of neighbouring states; we are rather a pattern to others than imitators ourselves. Its administration favours the many instead of the few; this is why it is called a democracy. If we look to the laws, they afford equal justice to all in their private differences; if no social standing, advancement in public life falls to reputation for capacity, class considerations not being allowed to interfere with merit; nor again does poverty bar the way, if a man is able to serve the state, he is not hindered by the obscurity of his condition. –The History of the Peloponnesian War, Thucydides
Answer
A
He wanted to explain why the Greeks copied other groups’ forms of government.
B
He wanted to explain how other civilizations imitate the Greek form of government.
C
He wanted to describe how Greek law favors those who were born to more nobler classes of people.
D
He wanted to explain how democracy works in Greece as compared to other forms of government.
Explanation
The speaker explains that their government is a democracy because it serves the many rather than the few. He contrasts it with other systems by emphasizing equal justice and advancement based on ability, not wealth or social class. This supports choice D: explaining how democracy works in Greece compared with other forms of government.
AI-written and checked against the verified answer.