Thucydides

Written four hundred years before the birth of Christ, this detailed contemporary account of the long life-and-death struggle between Athens and Sparta stands an excellent chance of fulfilling its author's ambitious claim. Thucydides himself (c.460-400 BC) was an Athenian and achieved the rank of general in the earlier stages of the war. He applied thereafter a passion for accuracy and a contempt for myth and romance in compiling this factual record of a disastrous conflict.

Designed for students with little or no background in ancient Greek language and culture, this collection of extracts from The History of the Peloponnesian War includes those passages that shed most light on Thucydides’ political theory--famous as well as important but lesser-known pieces frequently overlooked by nonspecialists. Newly translated into spare, vigorous English, and situated within a connective narrative framework, Woodruff’s selections will be of special interest to instructors in political theory and Greek civilization. Includes maps, notes, glossary.

Pericles' Funeral Oration for the Athenians who had died in the Samian War, a campaign in the First Peloponnesian War, is one of the greatest speeches recorded. It was an Athenian tradition to eulogise their war dead, and Pericles, the great democratic leader of Athens in the war against Sparta, speaks with unparalleled eloquence of the greatness and glory of Athens. This is an excerpt from Thucydides' The History of the Peloponnesian War, approximately 430 BC.

An accessible modern translation of essential speeches from Thucydides's History that takes readers to the heart of his profound insights on diplomacy, foreign policy, and warWhy do nations go to war? What are citizens willing to die for? What justifies foreign invasion? And does might always make right? For nearly 2,500 years, students, politicians, political thinkers, and military leaders have read the eloquent and shrewd speeches in Thucydides's History of the Peloponnesian War for profound insights into military conflict, diplomacy, and the behavior of people and countries in times of crisis. How to Think about War presents the most influential and compelling of these speeches in an elegant new translation by classicist Johanna Hanink, accompanied by an enlightening introduction, informative headnotes, and the original Greek on facing pages. The result is an ideally accessible introduction to Thucydides's long and challenging History.Thucydides intended his account of the clash between classical Greece's mightiest powers--Athens and Sparta--to be a "possession for all time." Today, it remains a foundational work for the study not only of ancient history but also contemporary politics and international relations. How to Think about War features speeches that have earned the History its celebrated status--all of those delivered before the Athenian Assembly, as well as Pericles's funeral oration and the notoriously ruthless "Melian Dialogue." Organized by key debates, these complex speeches reveal the recklessness, cruelty, and realpolitik of Athenian warfighting and imperialism.The first English-language collection of speeches from Thucydides in nearly half a century, How to Think about War takes readers straight to the heart of this timeless thinker.

Thucydides of Athens, one of the greatest of historians, was born about 471 BCE. He saw the rise of Athens to greatness under the inspired leadership of Pericles. In 430, the second year of the Peloponnesian War, he caught and survived the horrible plague which he described so graphically. Later, as general in 423 he failed to save Amphipolis from the enemy and was disgraced. He tells about this, not in volumes of self-justification, but in one sentence of his history of the war—that it befell him to be an exile for twenty years. He then lived probably on his property in Thrace, but was able to observe both sides in certain campaigns of the war, and returned to Athens after her defeat in 404. He had been composing his famous history, with its hopes and horrors, triumphs and disasters, in full detail from first-hand knowledge of his own and others.The war was really three conflicts with one uncertain peace after the first; and Thucydides had not unified them into one account when death came sometime before 396. His history of the first conflict, 431–421, was nearly complete; Thucydides was still at work on this when the war spread to Sicily and into a conflict (415–413) likewise complete in his awful and brilliant record, though not fitted into the whole. His story of the final conflict of 413–404 breaks off (in the middle of a sentence) when dealing with the year 411. So his work was left unfinished and as a whole unrevised. Yet in brilliance of description and depth of insight this history has no superior.The Loeb Classical Library edition of Thucydides is in four volumes.

The Melian Dialogue is an excerpt from Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War between the powerful Athenian Empire and the tiny island state of Melos.The Athenians explain that power dynamics dominate the dialogue, whereas the Melians appeal to logic, reason and morality.The Melian dialogue is most famous for the phrase: "The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must."

Thucydides of Athens, one of the greatest of historians, was born about 471 BCE. He saw the rise of Athens to greatness under the inspired leadership of Pericles. In 430, the second year of the Peloponnesian War, he caught and survived the horrible plague which he described so graphically. Later, as general in 423 he failed to save Amphipolis from the enemy and was disgraced. He tells about this, not in volumes of self-justification, but in one sentence of his history of the war that it befell him to be an exile for twenty years. He then lived probably on his property in Thrace, but was able to observe both sides in certain campaigns of the war, and returned to Athens after her defeat in 404. He had been composing his famous history, with its hopes and horrors, triumphs and disasters, in full detail from first-hand knowledge of his own and others.The war was really three conflicts with one uncertain peace after the first; and Thucydides had not unified them into one account when death came sometime before 396. His history of the first conflict, 431 421, was nearly complete; Thucydides was still at work on this when the war spread to Sicily and into a conflict (415 413) likewise complete in his awful and brilliant record, though not fitted into the whole. His story of the final conflict of 413 404 breaks off (in the middle of a sentence) when dealing with the year 411. So his work was left unfinished and as a whole unrevised. Yet in brilliance of description and depth of insight this history has no superior.The Loeb Classical Library edition of Thucydides is in four volumes.

Thucydides of Athens, one of the greatest of historians, was born about 471 BCE. He saw the rise of Athens to greatness under the inspired leadership of Pericles. In 430, the second year of the Peloponnesian War, he caught and survived the horrible plague which he described so graphically. Later, as general in 423 he failed to save Amphipolis from the enemy and was disgraced. He tells about this, not in volumes of self-justification, but in one sentence of his history of the war that it befell him to be an exile for twenty years. He then lived probably on his property in Thrace, but was able to observe both sides in certain campaigns of the war, and returned to Athens after her defeat in 404. He had been composing his famous history, with its hopes and horrors, triumphs and disasters, in full detail from first-hand knowledge of his own and others.The war was really three conflicts with one uncertain peace after the first; and Thucydides had not unified them into one account when death came sometime before 396. His history of the first conflict, 431 421, was nearly complete; Thucydides was still at work on this when the war spread to Sicily and into a conflict (415 413) likewise complete in his awful and brilliant record, though not fitted into the whole. His story of the final conflict of 413 404 breaks off (in the middle of a sentence) when dealing with the year 411. So his work was left unfinished and as a whole unrevised. Yet in brilliance of description and depth of insight this history has no superior.The Loeb Classical Library edition of Thucydides is in four volumes.

The second book of Thucydides is of particular interest because it contains important sections on the funeral oration, the account of the plague at Athens and the obituary of Pericles. His exceptionally complex structure and techniques make Thucydides one of the most difficult as well as one of the most profound of ancient historians. Professor Rusten aims to assist students at all levels in learning to read Thucydides. The text, in Greek, is supported by a valuable introduction and commentary in English. In his commentary, Rusten scrutinizes the historical, literary, and philosophical aspects. The introduction surveys biographical interpretations of the text, suggests a new approach to fictive elements in the speeches, and sketches the main features of Thucydidean style.

Thucydides of Athens, one of the greatest of historians, was born about 471 BCE. He saw the rise of Athens to greatness under the inspired leadership of Pericles. In 430, the second year of the Peloponnesian War, he caught and survived the horrible plague which he described so graphically. Later, as general in 423 he failed to save Amphipolis from the enemy and was disgraced. He tells about this, not in volumes of self-justification, but in one sentence of his history of the war that it befell him to be an exile for twenty years. He then lived probably on his property in Thrace, but was able to observe both sides in certain campaigns of the war, and returned to Athens after her defeat in 404. He had been composing his famous history, with its hopes and horrors, triumphs and disasters, in full detail from first-hand knowledge of his own and others.The war was really three conflicts with one uncertain peace after the first; and Thucydides had not unified them into one account when death came sometime before 396. His history of the first conflict, 431 421, was nearly complete; Thucydides was still at work on this when the war spread to Sicily and into a conflict (415 413) likewise complete in his awful and brilliant record, though not fitted into the whole. His story of the final conflict of 413 404 breaks off (in the middle of a sentence) when dealing with the year 411. So his work was left unfinished and as a whole unrevised. Yet in brilliance of description and depth of insight this history has no superior.The Loeb Classical Library edition of Thucydides is in four volumes.

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

Αναφορά στην προ του Πελοποννησιακού πολέμου ιστορία της Ελλάδας. Η πολιτική κατάσταση. Αίτια και αφορμές του πολέμου. Τα γεγονότα στην Επίδαμνο και την Ποτείδαια. Συνέδρια της Σπάρτης.

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

The Ancient Classics series provides eReaders with the wisdom of the Classical world, with both English translations and the original Latin and Greek texts. This comprehensive eBook presents the complete works of the great historian Thucydides, with beautiful illustrations, informative introductions and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1)* Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Thucydides’ life and works* Features Benjamin Jowett’s scholarly translation and the original Greek text* Concise introduction to the text* Excellent formatting of the texts* Easily locate the sections you want to read with individual contents tables* Includes a special Dual Text feature, with paragraph by paragraph access to the Greek and English translation – ideal for students of Classical Greek* Also includes Xenophon’s seven book HELLENICA, allowing you to finish reading Thucydides’ unfinished work* Features two bonus biographies - discover Thucydides’ ancient world* UPDATED with corrected Greek text* Scholarly ordering of texts into chronological order and literary genresPlease some Kindle software programs cannot display Greek characters correctly, however they do display correctly on Kindle devices.The TranslationsTHE HISTORY OF THE PELOPONNESIAN WARXENOPHON’S HELLENICAThe Greek TextPRONOUNCING ANCIENT GREEKCONTENTS OF GREEK TEXTDual TextDUAL GREEK AND ENGLISH TEXTThe BiographiesINTRODUCTION TO THUCYDIDES by Charles Forster SmithTHUCYDIDES by T. W. Lumb

“Noi siamo un modello per gli altri: democrazia, perché il governo si basa sull’interesse della maggioranza”Quali forme assume il discorso politico? Come parla un leader ai cittadini? È possibile dire tutta la verità, parlare con franchezza, quando si tratta di questioni controverse e divisive, quando il clima politico è teso fino alla lacerazione, o occorre invece nascondere la verità e giocare sulla presa delle emozioni? Queste e altre domande sulla comunicazione politica lampeggiano, con inquietante lucidità e spietata analisi, nei discorsi che Tucidide fa pronunciare ai protagonisti del suo racconto storico nei contesti del dibattito assembleare dell’Atene del V secolo. Dall’elogio della democrazia, pronunciato da Pericle, ai discorsi che riguardano la guerra e la prosperità della polis, dai sacrifici richiesti ai cittadini alle scelte che riguardano la conservazione dell’impero e i rapporti con gli alleati: i discorsi, uno dopo l’altro, dipingono un quadro che sollecita, nel confronto, l’orizzonte contemporaneo in una sconcertante attualità. Il volume contiene i tre discorsi di Pericle alla città (l’epitaffio ai caduti in guerra, che è al contempo un elogio della città democratica; i due discorsi che riguardano la decisione di entrare in guerra e la necessità di conservare l’impero), il dibattito tra Cleone e Diodoto sul trattamento da riservare alla ribelle Mitilene e l’orazione di Alcibiade che incita Atene alla spedizione in Sicilia.

Greek text with introduction and commentary

Book VI of Thucydides deals, through its speeches in particular, with Athenian motivation towards sending the great expedition to Sicily, with the attitudes of various factions involved, and with the seeds of the expedition's ultimate disastrous conclusion. It contains memorable sections on Alcibiades, on the Athenians' excitement at the sailing, on the mutilation of the Herms and a digression on the fall of Athenian tyranny a century earlier. This edition, with introduction and notes, is designed to help senior school and university students read, understand and enjoy Thycydides. Its notes aim to assist translation, draw attention to features of language and style characteristic of the author, make explicit what the author took for granted in his original Greek audience, comment on the historical background, and offer grounds on which to reach decisions as to whether the author's historical statements are true or false.

In any list of the great books of Western civilization, Thucydides' "The Peloponnesian War" stands near the top. This elegant and authoritative edition will ensure that its greatness is appreciated by future generations.Thucydides' account of two decades of war between Athens and Sparta is the first and most famous work in the Western historical tradition. Considered essential reading for generals, statesmen, and liberally educated citizens for more than two thousand years, "The Peloponnesian War" is a mine of military, moral, political, and philosophical wisdom. However, this classic book has long presented obstacles to the uninitiated reader. This edition erases these obstacles, providing a new coherence to the narrative and effectively reconstructing the lost cultural context that Thucydides shared with his original audience. (Part 2 of 2 part cassette edition)

Testo greco a fronte.

Τα γεγονότα μέχρι το 425 π.Χ. Αποστασία Λέσβου. Άλωση Πλαταιών. Εκστρατεία του Δημοσθένη.

Τα γεγονότα του 7ου, 8ου και 9ου έτους του πολέμου. Κατάληψη της Σφακτηρίας. Κατάληψη της Αμφίπολης. Βρασίδας.

Θάνατος του Κλέωνα. Νικίειος ειρήνη. Τα γεγονότα μέχρι το 415 π.Χ. Οι Αθηναίοι εκστρατεύουν στη Μήλο.

Nella Guerra del Peloponneso, Tucidide racconta della lotta tra Sparta, modello di oligarchia, e Atene, nuovo paradigma democratico. Ma quanto contraddittoria fosse la natura del governo ateniese, lo apprendiamo proprio dalle testimonianze di alcuni protagonisti di quel lunghissimo scontro: attraverso le voci di Pericle, di Cleone, di Alcibiade. Soprattutto, attraverso la voce dello stesso Tucidide. E se nel primo testo di questa raccolta, il celeberrimo epitafio per i caduti, Atene gloriosamente si erge a baluardo della democrazia, negli altri discorsi la città svela il proprio vero volto, ben diverso da quello demagogicamente propagandato al cospetto dei cittadini: il volto di una potenza aggressiva e imperialista, non estranea ai soprusi e alle prevaricazioni, capace di terribili atti di violenza nei confronti di chi si ribella alla sua supremazia.

If ever a tragedy of Olympian proportions could be ascribed to an historic event, it would surely be appropriate to use that term in relation to the great city state of Athens. John Ruskin referred to the Peloponnesian War as "the suicide of Greece". It is an apt phrase. For never in history has a community reached such sublime heights of civilized life only to plummet to ignominious defeat within a single lifetime. In one of the great coincidences of history, Thucydides was enabled to observe this event, and commit to paper the most accurate, dramatic, and beautifully expressive history that has yet been written...of his era, or any other.Volume 2 opens with the Spartans and Athenians pursuing their grim struggle. As the war continues to drain both sides materially and emotionally, a truce is finally arranged after the deaths of thousands, including the great Brasidas and Pericles. But the Athenians are persuaded by a young Alcibiades to launch an expedition against Syracuse in Sicily. In what has been hailed as the finest description of an historical event ever recorded, Thucydides provides posterity with a lucid and horrifying chronicle of the incredible folly and incompetence of the ill-fated Sicilian Expedition. When the magnificent Spartan general, Gylippus, slips into the besieged city of Syracuse, his mere presence tips the scales. Listen as the tragedy unfolds and Athens, reeling from the catastrophe, valiantly rebuilds her forces and continues the relentless struggle. In the face of odds that appear increasingly hopeless, Athens somehow finds the resolve to maintain the conflict.This audiobook uses Benjamin Jowett's translation.

Politico, diplomatico, stratega, Tucidide ricostruisce quel conflitto fra Atene e Sparta che visse da protagonista, e coglie magistralmente le logiche del potere, i nessi economici e sociali, le motivazioni psicologiche. Questa edizione, curata e tradotta dallo studioso Luciano Canfora, è arricchita da una corposa introduzione, da un apparato di note oltre che da una nota biografica sul grande storico ateniese.

Οι συνέπειες της Σικελικής εκστρατείας για την Αθήνα. Η εγκαθίδρυση του ολιγαρχικού καθεστώτος στην πόλη το 411 π.Χ. Τα γεγονότα μέχρι το έτος αυτό. Ανάκληση του Αλκιβιάδη.

Original Greek text included.

Excerpt from The History of the Plague of AthensReferences to the several chapters of the history will show the sources from which it has been derived.

To érgo Istoría tou Peloponnisiakoú Polémou ínai i existórisi tis síngrousis metaxí Athínas-Athinaïkís Simmakhías kai tis Spártis-Peloponnisiakís Simmakhías i opía árkhise to 431 p. Kh. Singraphéas tou érgou aftoú ítan o Athinaíos politikós Thoukidídis. Ínai evrítera apodektó os éna apó ta simantikótera istoriká kímena, kai me tin artiótita kai niphaliótita singraphís tou theorítai os i próti epistimoniká gramméni istorikí meléti.