In 'The History of the Peloponnesian War', Thucydides offers a gripping account of the fierce conflict between Athens and Sparta that reshaped the ancient Greek world. Through meticulous research and firsthand experience, he delves into the political turmoil, power struggles, and the human condition at war. His insights into democracy, empire, and moral ambiguity resonate through the ages, inviting reflections on contemporary conflicts. The narrative is not merely a chronicle of events, but a profound exploration of the consequences of hubris and the fragility of civilization. This timeless work challenges readers to consider the enduring lessons of history and the nature of humanity itself.
By Thucydides
Published: 1954
"The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must."
Written four hundred years before the birth of Christ, this detailed contemporary account of the struggle between Athens and Sparta stands an excellent chance of fulfilling the author's ambitious claim that the work "was done to last forever." The conflicts between the two empires over shipping, trade, and colonial expansion came to a head in 431 b.c. in Northern Greece, and the entire Greek world was plunged into 27 years of war. Thucydides applied a passion for accuracy and a contempt for myth and romance in compiling this exhaustively factual record of the disastrous conflict that eventually ended the Athenian empire. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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“The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.”
The History of the Peloponnesian War
By Thucydides
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Thucydides was an ancient Greek historian, best known for his critical history of the Peloponnesian War, which chronicles the struggle between the city-states of Athens and Sparta. Born around 460 BC in Athens, Thucydides was an Athenian general who brought a distinctive analytical edge to historical writing, emphasizing empirical evidence and rational inquiry over mythological narratives. His work is noted for its strict standards of historical accuracy and its profound exploration of power dynamics, human nature, and morality in politics. Thucydides' writing style is characterized by its clear, analytical prose and deep insight into the complexities of human behavior.
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