Description
Book SynopsisThucydides called his account of two decades of war between Athens and Sparta “a possession for all time,” and indeed it is the first and still the most famous work in the Western historical tradition.Considered essential reading for generals, statesmen, and liberally educated citizens for more than 2,000 years,
The Peloponnesian War is a mine of military, moral, political, and philosophical wisdom.
However, this classic book has long presented obstacles to the uninitiated reader. Written centuries before the rise of modern historiography, Thucydides'' narrative is not continuous or linear. His authoritative chronicle of what he considered the greatest war of all time is rigorous and meticulous, yet omits the many aids to comprehension modern readers take for granted—such as brief biographies of the story''s main characters, maps and other visual enhancements, and background on the military, cultural, and political traditions of ancient G
Trade Review"This is the best book with which to start study of Thucydides and the Peloponnesian War. It presents the finest English translation. Its maps, scholarly appendices, and notes permit the beginner to understand the text and to move easily and at once to a higher level of study than has been possible up to now." -- Donald Kagan, author of
On the Origins of War and
Pericles of Athens"Reading Thucydides remains an indispensable part of a liberal education. But this text has been wanting a useful English language, annotated version that would make it easier for the contemporary reader to encounter its brilliance and eloquence. Strassler's meticulous and imaginative achievement is as welcome as it is astonishing. Students of history and politics will be forever in his debt." -- Leon Botstein President, Bard College
"At last readers of
The Peloponnesian War can have at their fingertips the background information they need to read the narrative with understanding." -- W. Robert Connor Director, National Humanities Center
"Thucydides knew that human nature was unlikely to change over time, and it is this awareness that has allowed his work to be, as he hoped it would, a 'possession for all time.' But even he did not imagine how much warfare and customs would have changed over 2,500 years, or how the differences between past and present practices would make his work difficult for modern readers to follow. This new edition helps make Thucydides accessible once again by providing readers with the maps and detailed background information they will need to understand the full significance of his work." -- Mary Lefkowitz, Andrew Mellon Professor in the Humanities, Wellesley College
