Description
Book SynopsisThis is the first volume of a three-volume historical and literary commentary on the eight books of Thucydides, the great fifth-century BC historian of the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta. Of the three books covered in this volume, Book I presents Thucydides'' aims in writing the work and the historical background to the war. Books II and III describe the main events of the first five years of the war (431-426) and include Pericles'' funeral oration, the plague of Athens, the revolt of Mytilene, the destruction of Plataea, and civil war in Corcyra. Thucydides intended his work to be `an everlasting possession'' and the continuing importance of his work is undisputed. Simon Hornblower''s commentary, by translating every passage or phrase of Greek commented on, for the first time allows the reader with little or no Greek to appreciate the detail of Thucydides'' thought and subject-matter. It is the first complete commentary written by a single author this century and explores
Trade Reviewfor its attention to detail, its balanced judgements, and its broad scope, this commentary will become a standard work...it is historically authoritative and historiographically penetrating. Readers at all levels have much to learn from this book, and will appreciate its clear and careful discussions of the many literary masterpieces in Thucydides. Classics Journal
a model for anyone who wants to get to grips with that great historian: detailed scholarship combined with breadth and lucidity, and the Greek translated into English, too. It is the model on which all future commentaries should be based. The Times
an excellent commentary...it is also an interesting guide to how ancient Greek literature and history have been read and interpreted in the generation from 1960 to 1990. Times Literary Supplement
A work at the highest scholarly level...it will play an important role in future research Gnomon
