Thucydides Essay

perspective that Thucydides took to write History of the Peloponnesian War gave his work, on a first read, the impression that his opinion was removed to provide an objective analysis of the destruction of the greatness of Athens over the period of the war. He began with a “medical history” of how humanity structured the first societies based on the interplay between fear, interest, and honor. Then, progressed to how war devolved the great Athenian society. Which took Thucydides from revisiting eloquent

The Athenians claimed to be the superior of Greece over Sparta and the other small city states. Thucydides had been a historian during a time where historical record was not taken. Some of the most important writings from Thucydides was “Pericles’ Funeral Orientation” and “The Melian Dialogue”. These writings spoke about important events in ancient Greek history. Thucydides’ importance in “Pericles’ Funeral Orientation” and “The Melian Dialogue” can be interpreted by identifying the substantial points

Written by the Greek historian Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War is one that tells the story of the war (431-404 BC) which divided the Greek world between Athens and its allies and Lacedaemon. The Melian Dialogue presents two sides and two perspectives that of the Melians neutrality and that of the Athenians’ might. By Thucydides juxtaposing the Athenian’s position to that of the Melians, there is a clear conclusion of which side actions are tactically and morally acceptable. One would

As an historian, Thucydides wrote a very rational and contemporary account of the Peloponnesian war. Being an Athenian, his account gives us an eye witness record of not only the events, but the causes and motives that lead up those events. For a historian to be objective Thucydides’ change in attitude regarding the war is subtly woven into his narrative. In “Pericles’Funeral Oration”, we see war in a favorable light brought about by its protagonist Pericles, who does not hold back in delivering

In his historical account of the Peloponnesian War, Thucydides highlights the historical significance behind the participants of the Melian Dialogue and how their actions contributed to the overall canon of inter-state relations. During this time period, in an attempt to acquire resources for their ongoing fight in the Delian War, the nation-state of Athens turned their attention to the island of Melos as a source of potential resources. After their arrival, the Athenians declared that unless the

An interesting character that Thucydides puts great detail about in his writings in the Peloponnesian war is the Spartan general Brasidas. Brasidas was a very cultured individual with a reputation for being a capable and willing military leader. Thucydides acknowledges his efforts, and I believe he wants us to take from his story many lessons. Three things that I see Thucydides wanted us to take from Brasidas life are as follows; To lead bravely and justly, To communicate through negotiations to

his Funeral Oration which would be echoed throughout time at the annual public funeral for Athenian war casualties. This speech which is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful works of oratory in history was recorded and preserved by Thucydides. Athens during Pericles’ speech was at a cusp, or a point of inflection in Athenian history / society. The first Peloponnesian War ended just fifteen years prior and the second great conflict in the bipolar system consisting of Athens and Sparta

they have to accept." The Melians believed that they would have the gods by their side because their position is morally just, whereas the Athenians opposed with the view that it is the natural order of life for the strong to dominate the weak. For Thucydides, international relations allow the rich and powerful to do as they please and force the weak to suffer as they must (Hellenic Resources Network). One of the first classical realists in this newly established province was Morgenthau, who would have

The Peloponnesian War and the Decline of Leadership in Athens Thucydides set out to narrate the events of what he believed would be a great war—one requiring great power amassed on both sides and great states to carry out. Greatness, for Thucydides, was measured most fundamentally in capital and military strength, but his history delves into almost every aspect of the war, including, quite prominently, its leaders. In Athens especially, leadership was vital to the war effort because the city’s

2- Thucydides Pericles was an important man for Athenians. Indeed, he was so influential to Athens that Thucydides claimed him as “the first citizen of Athens”. He, Pericles, led countrymen for the first two years of the war and made the “Delian League into an Athenian empire”. Pericles’ thoughts regarding the war were more obvious after his death than while he was still alive. He had said that Athens in one-way or another forgot to take care the most important things. For example, he said, “Athens