Description
Book SynopsisThis stimulating new study provides a narrative of the monumental conflict of the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta, and examines the realities of the war and its effects on the average Athenian. The book offers an original interpretation of how and why the war began, and challenges the approach of Thucydides in his account of the war.
Trade Review"Tritle's overall aim is to make the content and context of the Peloponnesian War more accessible to those unfamiliar with classics, and on the whole I believe he succeeds. His tone throughout is quite relaxed...but for those unfamiliar with classical Greek history and/or the Peloponnesian war Tritle's book is a good starting place." (
Bryn Mawr Classical Review, December 2010)
"He has produced a major new account of the Peloponnesian War that will allow readers of Thucydides to feel what it was actually like to be at war and to understand the breakdown of legal, moral, and political principles that caused prolonged human suffering on such a colossal scale. We are in his debt.." (Michigan War Studies Review, 2 October 2010)
"Recommended. Undergraduate libraries and above". (Choice, 1 November 2010)
Table of ContentsList of illustrations viii
List of maps x
List of abbreviations xi
Chronology xiii
Acknowledgments xix
Preface xxi
Prelude – a band of brothers 1
1 ‘From this the Corinthians developed their bitter hatred for the Athenians’ 4
2 ‘Give the Greeks their freedom’ 25
3 ‘Our city is an education to Greece’ 44
4 ‘War is a violent teacher’ 67
5 ‘Spindles would be worth a lot’ 85
6 ‘Weeping for joy’ 111
7 ‘The strong do what they have the power to do’ 132
8 ‘What of us then who for our children must weep?’ 144
9 ‘The whole of Greece against Athens’ 165
10 ‘Ships gone . . . don’t know what to do’ 186
11 ‘Athens is taken’ 205
12 ‘Here’s to the noble Critias!’ 223
Epilogue 241
Appendix A: A note on sources 243
Appendix B: Who’s who in the Peloponnesian War 248
Appendix C: A Peloponnesian War glossary 258
Bibliography 263
Index 275
