History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides

Athens sends ships to Sicily while Sparta cancels a planned invasion because earthquakes have hit Laconia (Sparta’s territory).īook 4 takes place after the seventh through ninth years of the war and shows Athens achieving victory at Pylos and Sphacteria. Besieged Plataea suffers famine and is forced to surrender to Sparta while civil war breaks out in Corcyra between democratic and oligarchic factions (factions run by wealthy elites). However, after an impassioned debate in the assembly, they change their minds about punishing everyone equally. The Athenians debate how to punish survivors and initially decide that they will punish guilty and innocent people alike. Athens subdues a revolt in one of its allied cities, Mytilene, on the Aegean island of Lesbos. A plague devastates Athens and takes the life of its leader Pericles.īook 3 concerns events of the fourth through sixth years of the war. Battles occur between the allied states of Hellas, but Sparta is still stronger on land than at sea. Book 1 ends with Sparta voting to declare war on Athens.īook 2 begins with Thebes invading Plataea, and Athens defends it. He describes three key disputes among allies of both states, but believes that fear was the reason for starting war between them. Thucydides introduces himself and his method, as well as provides an overview of Hellenic people across time, as well as a specific look at why Sparta started war with Athens after defeating Persia. The translator includes subheadings in order to make it easier for readers to study the text.īook 1 is the longest in history and covers the broadest scope of time. Each book has sections, which are called chapters. Scholars have developed a system of numbering to help read the text. Though some of them may have been unfinished drafts, book 8 appears to be more disorganized and may have been a collection of notes. Some think they were composed over a period of time, while others believe they were compiled after the war was over in 404 BC.

Scholars don’t agree on when the eight books that make up The History of the Peloponnesian War were written. This version of the text was translated by Rex Warner. Some things are unclear, but the book gives us a good idea of what happened in history. Thucydides’ work is complex and has been debated by scholars for years.

He died before he could finish writing his book.

Thucydides, who wrote about this war in his book “The History of the Peloponnesian War”, is considered one of history’s greatest authors. The Peloponnesian War was a war between the Delian League (Athens and its allies) and the Peloponnesian League (Sparta and its allies). 1-Page Summary of History Of The Peloponnesian War Overall Summary

History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides