Thucydides

The History of the Peloponnesian War (eBook, ePUB)

Historical Account of the War between Sparta and Athens
Übersetzer: Crawley, Richard

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

In 'The History of the Peloponnesian War,' Thucydides meticulously chronicles the 27-year-long struggle between the city-states of Athens and Sparta, marking a cornerstone in classical historical literature. Far from a mere recollection of events, Thucydides' analytical approach and his quest for fact-based investigation elevate the work above the traditional storytelling of his time. The narrative unfolds within a stark realist framework, eschewing the attribution of events to the divine will in favor of human agency and rationality. The prose is dense yet poignant, capturing the political machinations, the strategic maneuvering, and the often-tragic scale of warfare that defined the Hellenistic age. The meticulous eight-book division reflects an early attempt at providing organization and structure to historical account, a testimony of an intellectual endeavor deeply rooted in the understanding of human nature and the complexities of interstate relations. Thucydides, the acclaimed Athenian historian, penned this seminal work out of both participation in and observation of the war, offering him a unique dual perspective. His military involvement lent him a profound understanding of the war's strategic dimensions while his subsequent exile ensured a detachment necessary for impartial analysis. The result of his efforts is not merely a historical record but a work suffused with the philosophical insights of a man deeply contemplative of power, ethics, and the human condition. This experience, combined with the intellectual milieu of 5th-century Athens, contributed significantly to the formation of Thucydides' historiographical approach, which has since set a precedent for objective and methodological historical inquiry. 'The History of the Peloponnesian War' is indispensable for both scholars and general readers interested in ancient history, military strategy, and political science. Thucydides' pursuit of an evidentiary standard and his analysis of the war as a product of human choices and actions proffer this work as an invaluable resource that transcends its era. Readers will find his depth of detail, the drama of battle, the explication of democratic and oligarchic ideologies, and the enduring pertinence of his insights into human nature and the cyclical patterns of conflict to be profoundly engaging. This timeless masterpiece not only illuminates the past but also provides an enduring lens through which to view the perennial complexities of human societies.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: DigiCat
• Seitenzahl: 447
• Erscheinungstermin: 15. Dezember 2023
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 8596547753674
• Artikelnr.: 69545505

Autorenporträt

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.