Thucydides

Although Pericles’ exact words of the famous Funeral Oration are not well known. We can examine Thucydides interpretation of the speech, a good friend of Pericles. During the fall of 430 B.C.E famous speeches like Pericles’ were common in Athens after the many battles during their time of war. These speeches occurred annually during the bloody years of the Peloponnesian war. The fallen are commemorated in honor of their valor and commitment to the public. Pericles’ was the general for the city-…

War has evolved throughout history. From ancient sword fights to modern nuclear battles, one constant is that there has always been an imperial power or a group striving to be an imperial power. The Peloponnesian War was no different. The war was fought between the Peloponnesian League and Athens. In this case however, the power striving to be imperial was Athens, who, at the time was supposedly a democracy. As a democracy there are always ways to comprise. In modern society the United States…

Hellas, when it makes you the moderate offer of becoming its tributary ally, without ceasing to enjoy the country that belongs to you; nor when you have the choice given you between war and security, will you be so blinded as to choose the worse.”(Thucydides, Warner, & Finley, 1972, Chapter XVII). Whether there was to be war or not was irrelevant to the Athenians as Melos held no form (or very limited) of military and political power (Ahrensdorf, 1997). It is difficult to relay the points of…

In the History of the Peloponnesian War, Thucydides recreates Pericles’ well-known funeral oration that was given at the end of the first year of the war. Speeches such as Pericles’ were traditionally delivered to honor the fallen in Athen’s many wars and campaigns against other countries. Thucydides remarks on this tradition, claiming that, “[the chosen orator] makes an appropriate speech in praise of the dead.”(II,34). Pericles’ oration deviates from the typical formula of Athenian funeral…

In the History of the Peloponnesian War, Thucydides recreates Pericles’ well-known funeral oration that was given at the end of the first year of the war. Funeral orations were traditionally delivered to honor the fallen in Athen’s many wars and campaigns against other countries. Thucydides remarks on this tradition, claiming that, “[the chosen orator] makes an appropriate speech in praise of the dead.” (2,34). Pericles’ oration differs from the typical arrangement of Athenian funeral speeches,…

the Hellenic race, Thucydides’ history on the Peloponnesian War has been noted for its objectivity and theoretical approach since antiquity. Indeed, its impact on Western civilization was anticipated by the author himself, who strove to write an accurate account of the war, free from romance. However, Thucydides’ work is not without its limitations, and historians today are aware of inconsistencies and omissions that exist within the text. To this end, the history of Thucydides cannot be…

background and how they led the subordinate states of government. As well as, Sparta’s and Athens’ strategic approach to war, in the beginning, was dissimilar but in the end, the tables would turn and the Sparta would be victorious. According to Thucydides, the balance of power often shifted during the war between Sparta and Athens giving…

The passages that will be discussed in this half of the essay are Thucydides 6.91 to 6.93 and will look at particular ideas and themes that are raised by this piece of text. Alcibiades and Thucydides both experienced exile from Athens, which allows Alcibiades to communicate with Sparta, and allows Thucydides to gain eyewitnesses and accounts from both sides. The text is a speech within Thucydides by Alcibiades to the Spartans. This speech Alcibiades is urging the Spartans to send troops to help…

has changed; the other is to say that nothing has changed.” Theorist of international politics are generally found in one of two camps; those who believe that state relations and behaviors today are consistent with those found during the time of Thucydides and those who believe that everything has changed. The various views about change or continuity are useful in developing theories about international politics, but also present a danger for those who adhere too strongly to their views and…

just. They are in a position where they won’t be opposed so they can act self-interestedly. Thrasymachus, in Thucydides’ accounts on the Peloponnesian war explains this point of view best by stating, “Justice is nothing other the advantage of the stronger.” (Plato pg. 14). Although violence places fear in your enemies or subordinates, it leads to dismal consequences. The characters of Thucydides accounts on the Peloponnesian war, Plato’s Republic, and Sophocles Antigone demonstrate the use of…