Description
Book SynopsisA new evaluation of the origins and causes of the Peloponnesian War, based on evidence produced by modern scholarship and on a careful reconsideration of the ancient texts.
Trade ReviewA profound analysis of the relation of strategy to politics, a sympathetic but searching critique of Thucydides' masterpiece, and a trenchant assessment of the voluminous modern literature on the war.
-- Bernard Knox * The Atlantic Monthly *
Kagan's book is a contribution of considerable distinction, scrupulously fair, carefully argued, and lucidly written. And, what is more, it is persuasive.... Kagan sets out the story in detail and with acumen. The case has been adumbrated before—but never presented with such thoroughness.
* Journal of Interdisciplinary History *
Kagan's book is based on complete control of both the ancient evidence and modern scholarship.
* Choice *
The temptation to acclaim Kagan's four volumes as the foremost work of history produced in North America in the twentieth century is vivid.... Here is an achievement that not only honors the criteria of dispassion and of unstinting scruple which mark the best of modern historicism but honors its readers. To read Kagan's 'History of the Peloponnesian War' at the present hour is to be almost unbearably tested.
-- George Steiner * The New Yorker *
Table of ContentsIntroductionPart One: The Alliance System and the Division of the Greek World
1. The Spartan Alliance
2. The Origins of the Athenian Empire
3. Sparta after the Persian War
4. Athens after the Persian WarPart Two: The First Peloponnesian War
5. The War in Greece
6. The Crisis in the Aegean
7. The End of the WarPart Three: The Years of Peace
8. Athenian Politics: The Victory of Pericles
9. Athens and the West: The Foundation of Thurii
10. The Samian Rebellion
11. The Consolidation of the Empire
12. Athenian Politics on the Eve of the WarPart Four: The Final Crisis
13. Epidamnus
14. Corcyra
15. Megara
16. Potidaea
17. Sparta
18. AthensPart Five: Conclusions
19. The Causes of the War
20. Thucydides and the Inevitability of the WarAppendixes
A. The Willingness of the Members of the Delian League to Accept Athenian Leadership
B. The Historicity of Diodoms' Account of the Spartan Assembly in 475
C. Chronology of Events between ca. 470–453
D. Reconstruction of the Athenian Tribute Lists
E. The Papyrus Decree
F. The Foundation of Thurii
G. Athenian Actions in the West between the Wars
H. Athenian Treatment of Byzantium
I. The Date of Pericles' Pontic Expedition
J. The Site and Date of Brea
K. The Date of the Battle of PotidaeaBibliography
General Index
Index of Ancient Authors and Inscriptions
Index of Modern Authors
