Thucydides

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

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

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

The “Thucydides Trap” is a concept that was relevant 2500 years ago, and is still relevant today. 2500 years ago, the Thucydides Trap was the Spartan security dilemma that stemmed from the rise of Athens. The massive growth of power of Athens alarmed Lacedaemon so much that it made war inevitable. To put it simply, according to the Thucydides Trap, you must seek to destroy the rising power in order to sustain your own! The trap today concerns the implications of the rise of China for the United States

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

“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