thucydides history of the peloponnesian war book 1

Typically, access is provided across an institutional network to a range of IP addresses. If you are a member of an institution with an active account, you may be able to access content in one of the following ways: Get help with access Institutional accessĪccess to content on Oxford Academic is often provided through institutional subscriptions and purchases. Careful attention is paid to Thucydides’ psychological and sociological observations about what happens when the fabric of society begins to break down in crisis situations.

This sets the stage for a broader discussion of the nature of ethics. While the Athenians effectively make a case for might-makes-right, the Melians appeal to a higher principle of justice. Thucydides’ account of the Athenians’ negotiations with the Melians is given careful attention in relation to the issue of the use of power and international relations. An account is given of Thucydides’ vivid description of the plague in Athens and how this eroded the political support for Pericles and thus ultimately led to the defeat of the city. Pericles’ Funeral Oration is discussed as a statement of the Athenian self-image in the context of war and empire.

This is compared and contrasted to that of his predecessor Herodotus. An account is given of Thucydides’ explanation of his methodology and goal with his work. Chapter 6 begins by introducing the reader to the Peloponnesian War and Thucydides’ history of it.

Thucydides history of the peloponnesian war book 1