Thucydides Essay

Herodotus and Thucydides didn 't agree often on how history should be recorded, taught, and observed. Herodotus, in his account of the War for Greek Freedom, takes great care to include the most seemingly insignificant details of Persian, Lydian, and Greek culture--from their practices regarding death to their sexual habits to how they eat at mealtimes. Thucydides, on the other hand, tells The History of the Peloponnesian War from a bias against the clutter of religion, prophecy, culture, and humanity

Scholars recognize Thucydides as one of the most celebrated Athenian historian, with him named as the father of scientific history. Thucydides wrote the unfinished History of the Peloponnesian War. In a period with scarce evidence available, Thucydides’ single narrative acts as the sole artefact that provides information regarding the war. His History narrates the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta, and also recounts the foreign relations-- military and diplomatic activities-- of Athens

There is little doubt that Thucydides is regarded as one of the best historical writers for coming up with his book, presenting facts and truth about the war even though he was a general in the Athens army. By using a unique style of writing, the author was attempting a unique style which involved being aggressively rational and giving an impersonal analysis of the history of his times being free from religious influence. The style used in writing the book is different because the author makes

Thucydides was born in 460 B.C.E in a noble family, which was linked to Athens and its leaders. He was one of the greatest ancient Greek historians and author of the History of the Peloponnesian War, in which he describes the struggle between Athens and Sparta. Thucydides was also interested in the technical part of the war. He focused on the difficulties and possibilities in a war between the powerful land force of Sparta along its allies and the powerful naval force of Athens. He observed that

will conclude that, although the "History" discusses many realist assumptions and politics, Thucydides himself was not a realist. It is my theory that Thucydides intended his "History" to be the prescription for man to drag himself from the miserable condition of war. The "History" is a model of idealist ideology encompassing the three components: description, prescription and objective. I Thucydides intended his "History" as a source for all time, a general insight into conflicts that answer

important to study Thucydides because Thucydides can help us to understand the way politics work in the world today.This should come later – it is not an introduction to a whole paper – always assume your reader is not familiar with your topic In his book titled, The History of the Peloponnesian War, Thucydides brings to light, some of the causes of the war, as well as some of the consequences of the war. (This is a good opening sentence. It introduces the reader to the topic) Thucydides analyzed the Peloponnesian

431 BCE, historian Thucydides wrote his take on it. In his work “The History of the Peloponnesian War” Thucydides talks about the social and political consequences of the plague, a personal account on the experiences he lived through. Anywhere during 99-55 BCE poet Lucretius had his work “On the Nature of the Universe” end with an account of the Athenian plague. Lucretius’s account was nearly an exact translation of Thucydides’ description of the plague. But whereas Thucydides wrote historically

The primary source that I have chosen to read and analyze is The History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides, more specifically the second book. The reason I chose this document is because the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta, the two major poleis of Ancient Greece, may not be as well-known as other conflicts around that age, such as the Persian Wars. I figured it would be interesting to understand the conflict and wars between the very Greece that shaped the modern Western World. Regarding

The true essence of human nature is seen during times of great hardships as can be seen comparing Pericles' Funeral Oration and the plague in Thucydides', The History of the Peloponnesian War. Thucydides accounts for many different aspects of justice, power, and human nature through his text. The order, the style of his writing, choice of words, and relations of what he believes actually happened, allows the reader to make different inferences about the message he's trying to convey. The juxtaposition

Thucydides indicates that people are indiscriminate about the stories or accounts they are told. They do not put them to the test. This is the case even with accounts that deal with their own country. Thucydides uses the example of the murder of Hipparchus. The Athenians believe that Hipparchus was a tyrant and was the ruler when he was killed by Harmodius and Aristogeiton. The fact of the matter is, Thucydides says, that it was Hipparchus older brother Hippias who was in power, not Hipparchus

This is part of a larger work, History of the Peloponnesian War, where Thucydides records his during the Peloponnesian War from his perspective and sources he has used. The extract is set during the first Battle of Mantinea (418 BC) during the Peloponnesian War with Sparta and her allies against Athens, Argos, and Mantinea. What Thucydides is saying in this extract is that the Spartan King Agis knew that the opposing army would extend their right wing out of fear to shield themselves and so he planned

However, there needs to be a consideration when evaluating this source that Thucydides was a native and patriotic Athenian. This should be examined as a possible bias in the how the Delian and Peloponnesian leagues are portrayed in both the long term reason and short term grievances. It could be argued that because of this bias, Athens was therefore presented in a more favourable light in being targets of Spartan scheming, forcing their hand in their actions of the four grievances, and therefore

“The Melian Dialogue”, written by Thucydides, is a classic argument mainly over power and realism taken place under international politics. In this dialogue, consisting of the Athenians and the Melians, the Athenians arrive on the island where the Melians had resided in attempt to conquer it. At this time, the Athenians are at war with the Spartans and see that the island can only benefit them in the war. Now, the Melians are kinsman of the Spartans, but they are a neutral state. The Athenians, however

Historical Patterns Presented in Thucydides: The Peloponnesian War Thucydides is known as one of the first historians to portray events that took place in his own words and thoughts during the ancient Greek period. His writing focuses on Greek history that captures events that happened in this age. Thucydides main focus in his writing was on the military, this includes famous battles such as the Peloponnesian war, as well as the political events that had occurred during his era of journalism. The

Thucydides' Historical Technique Thucydides has often been described as one of the fathers of history, and possibly the first historian that can be used with any real historical accuracy. His objectivity and lack of digressive storytelling mark him out from previous historians such as Herodotus, and Thucydides began a new era of historical writing. Although named the father of history, Herodotus wrote in a literary style, rather than the accurate telling of the facts

Thucydides' account of the Peloponnesian war served as a window into Athenian societal culture. Carrying the reader from Pericles' moving speech to the assembly, through Cleon and Diodotus' oratory battle over the fate of Mytilene, and finally to the Athenian proposal to the Melians, Thucydides detailed the transformation of Athens from a state based on justice and freedom to a empire with a corrupted soul. This corruption did not occur over night, but was the result of increasing tyrannical behavior

“Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it.” — Edmund Burke. Throughout time, various men have found it worthwhile to study the events of the past and to share their findings with people of both the present and the future. Livy and Thucydides were two of these men. They both viewed history as a beneficial study, but believed this for different reasons. Asserting that “the study of history is the best medicine for a sick mind” (The Early History of Rome 30), Livy believed that history

Analysis of Thucydides' Views on the Melian Dialogue The Melian Dialogue is a debate between Melian and Athenian representatives concerning the sovereignty of Melos. The debate did not really occur-the arguments given by each side were of Thucydides own creation. Thus it is reasonable to assume that we can tease out Thucydides' own beliefs. In this paper, I will first extract Thucydides views from the Melian Dialogue and then analyze whether or not these views are well founded. Thucydides believed

Thucydides, an Athenian who lived during the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC), may be one of the earliest western war theorists thanks to his work, History of the Peloponnesian War. His history described the conflict between ancient Athens and Sparta. In doing so, he authored one of the most balanced and powerful explanations of the causes of war. Thucydides, linked to the Athenian aristocracy, enjoyed a wealthy upbringing and education as a youth. As an adult, he served as a commander for Athens

protection of the gods, and state: 'This kind of attitude is not going to be of much help to you in your absurd conquest for safety at the moment'.[4] Thucydides portrays the Athenians in an arrogant light, which suggests that they will get their comeuppance for such sacrilegious opinions. Furthermore, Thucydides also highlights the scientific approach that the Athenians have towards their domination of the Peloponnese, suggesting that it is the 'law of nature', that