The History of the Peloponnesian War (eBook)

Historical Account of the War between Sparta and Athens

Thucydides (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2023
447 Seiten
DigiCat (Verlag)
859-654775367-4 (EAN)

Infos

Thucydides' "The History of the Peloponnesian War" is a groundbreaking historical account that meticulously chronicles the protracted conflict between Athens and Sparta from 431 to 404 BCE. Utilizing a rigorous approach to source material, Thucydides crafts a narrative that transcends mere chronicles, emphasizing the complexities of power, politics, and human nature. His analytical style, characterized by a profound inquiry into the motives of statesmen and the unpredictability of war, marks a departure from mythological interpretations of history, situating this work within the burgeoning field of political realism. This text not only serves as a historical document but also acts as a philosophical treatise on the ethics of power and governance during a tumultuous period in ancient Greece. Thucydides, an Athenian general and contemporary of the war, brings an intimate understanding of the political climate that shaped the conflict. His own experiences as a soldier and exile likely informed his impartial stance, striving to provide an objective perspective amidst the passions of war. The interplay between personal observation and analytical rigor solidifies his reputation as one of the earliest historians, laying the groundwork for future historical inquiry. For readers seeking a profound exploration of the dynamics of war, power, and human behavior, Thucydides' work remains essential. Its themes resonate through the ages, illuminating not only the events of the Peloponnesian War but also the enduring nature of political struggles. This timeless classic invites you to contemplate the cyclical patterns of history and the lessons they impart.

Autor

Thucydides (c. 460 – c. 395 BCE) was a preeminent ancient Greek historian, best known for his seminal work, 'The History of the Peloponnesian War,' which provides a detailed contemporary account of the protracted conflict between the city-states of Athens and Sparta, and their allies, from 431 to 404 BCE. Often lauded as the father of 'scientific history' or 'political realism,' Thucydides eschewed myth and divine intervention, striving instead for empirical rigor and a methodical examination of cause and effect in human affairs. His probing analysis of the complexities of power and the political dynamics of the ancient Greek world has garnered scholarly praise for its depth and prescience. In addition to his rigorous approach to sourcing and his emphasis on the inevitability of human nature in shaping historical events, Thucydides' narrative is notable for its stern prose and the gravitas with which he imbues historical developments. Though the entirety of 'The History of the Peloponnesian War' was never completed, the eight-book account remains a pivotal reference for historians, political scientists, and philosophers. Thucydides' meticulous attention to the internecine politicking, strategy, and diplomacy of the era has offered subsequent generations not only a detailed historical chronicle but also an enduring treatise on the human condition and the often tragic consequences of war, ambition, and power.

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 15.12.2023
• Übersetzer: Richard Crawley
• Verlagsort: Prague
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Geschichte / Politik ► Vor- und Frühgeschichte / Antike
• Themenwelt: Geschichte ► Allgemeine Geschichte ► Altertum / Antike
• Schlagworte: Alexander the Great • ancient civilizations • Ancient Greek History • ancient Greek warfare • Ancient Rome • Atheian vs Spartan rivalry • Athenian democracy • Athenian-Spartan conflict • Classical historical account • Classical literature • classical military strategy • Crisis human nature • Fifth century conflict • Greek historiography • hellenistic era • Herodotus • historical military strategy • historical narratives • Historiographical analysis • Human nature study • Impartial historical writing • livy • Military general perspective • military history • Mythos • Peloponnesian War • Political Philosophy • Political philosophy analysis • political realism • Praetorian • Realist historical account • sapiens • Spartan warfare • The Templars • Thucydides • Thucydides' methodology • Thucydides narrative style • Trojan War • Zlata's Diary