“The absence of romance in my history will, I fear, detract somewhat from its interest, but if it is judged worthy by those inquirers who desire an exact knowledge of the past as an aid to the understanding of the future, which in the course of human things must resemble if it does not reflect it, I shall be content.
In fine I have written my work not as an essay with which to win the applause of the moment but as a possession for all time.”

These wise words appear at the beginning of what is one of the finest works of history ever written. There could be no science of humanity if there were not certain constancies to human behaviour, which need not discount the variations which doubtlessly exist between all cultures. This work, to which many years of a genius's life were devoted, and which recount his own first hand experiences as well as those of his peers, illustrate how similar is our own times to that of their own.

Pericles Funeral Oration shows us that a sense of duty towards society - even at one's own expense - is by no means a modern invention. The Dialogue at Melos reveals that the principle of the better organized dominating the lesser stretches back to the remotest antiquity.

Thucydides also stands out for his strict naturalism. At no point does he invoke supernatural forces- like Herodotus - but he does not that some believed in them, as during the plague. And despite being an Athenian he does not shy away from criticizing Athens, nor does he display a hatred for Sparta, which he had fought against. Objectivity is not the same thing as neutrality, but nonetheless this ability to see an issue from all sides irrespective of one's own choice of view is to be commended and emulated.

" It was the rise of Athens and the fear which this caused in Sparta which made war inevitible"

Even in modern times we have seen the rise of new powers lead to war with older ones. It is this same "trap" which presents a real danger to the stability of the world today.

There is surely ample room for criticism. Sometimes Thucydides tries to relate speeches which he heard, but has no written transcript of. The exact wording is therefore open to question, and this is also true of his account for words spoken when he was not present. At one point he praises the bravery of women resisting invaders, but in a very condescending way. He says that they "displayed virtues beyond their sex". This is nonsense, since it is obviously impossible to display virtues which are beyond one's own capacity. If these women were brave, then they were plainly brave women.

Thus the founder of scientific history, who died before he could finish this book. Fitting, since the work of writing scientific history can never be completed by one man, however ingenious. I hope it will prove to be as instructive to you as it was to me, or even more so!

The History of the Peloponnesian War: Revised Edition

Loading Description

Tags

Bookshelves

Threads

Quotes

Reviews

Lists

Purchasable Editions

You May Also Like