Thucydides

book 6 section 1 of Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War, he talks about how the Athenians were “ignorant” of Sicily. Thus, this is one of the reasons why, the expedition was a mistake. Thucydides says, “They were for the most part ignorant of the size of the island and od the numbers of its inhabitants” (Thucydides, 409). Not to mention, “They did not realize that they were taking on a war of almost the same magnitude as their war against the Peloponnesians” (Thucydides, 409). The…

Herodotus and Thucydides are the first Greek historians credited for documenting history. Not only are Herodotus and Thucydides credited for writing the first accounts of ancient Greek history, but they each shaped the future of historical writing in their own unique ways. The Peloponnesian and Persian wars were both important conflicts that focused on independence. Herodotus earned the designation “The Father of History” because before his writings, the Greeks had no word for history in terms…

The Thucydides trap is a theory that Professor Graham Allison uses to explain the probability of something happening between rising power and a current dominating one. The objective of the Thucydides Trap in today’s world is to illustrate the challenge that both America and China face as China ascent as a rising power more rapidly and more dramatically than any other power in history; versus the rivals America, the ruling power. The great Greek historian Thucydides explained this dynamic of the…

of question throughout the span of time. If I do this am I a bad person? What if no one saw me? Ethics gives us codes in which we use to give morality to our lives. In reading about Thucydides and Plato we see that, while both highly regarded philosophers, the methods they use to teach are vastly different. Thucydides preferred an empirical style in the way that he chose to approach his studies of human nature and believes that justice is determined by strength, where Plato was said to have a…

their judgment. The Greek historian of the Peloponnesian War, Thucydides, describes a connection between power and justice in his book The Peloponnesian War. He gives evidence that having too much power and the desire for more overrules personal morals and principles of justice. The Roman satirist named Juvenal, on the other hand, believes that desiring too much power brings suffering, which eventually leads to human downfall. Thucydides and Juvenal’s commentaries have influenced governments…

However, Thucydides is also where most historians have gathered information about this mysterious plague. Thucydides contracted the plague, however he did not succumb to the illness, instead he offered historians an inside view of the symptoms and how it felt. This information was particularly helpful because at the time medical journals, guides, or similar teaching tools were sparse due to simplistic medical care. Thucydides said that the disease began in Ethiopia…

Deception and misinformation play an important role during Thucydides’ account of the Sicilian Expedition. In reality, the whole expedition which leads to deception and destruction, could have been avoided if the Athenian Assembly had listened to Nicias’s plea. Sicily was indeed too far away to be subdued permanently, and the current state of Athens was more important. Many other Greek city states were looking for their opportunity to attack Athens, and this event would only weaken the empire…

and compassion is a balance point, then to have a balance, there must be the opposite. If our city doesn't have a level of fear, then what keeps empathy and compassion from tipping over the scale and possibly creating a backlash? Similar to what Thucydides says: "the strong do what they will and the weak suffer what they must," but, the strong do what they can because that is a sort of harmony. Even if people try to be as compassionate and empathic as possible, there will always be those who…

Herodotus was a Greek historian who was born in Halicarnassus in the Persian Empire. He lived in the fifth century. He is often referred to as "The Father of History." Thucydides was an Athenian historian and general. His History of the Peloponnesian War recounts the fifth-century BC war between Sparta and Athens until the year 411 BC. Thucydides has been dubbed the father of "scientific history" by those who accept his claims to have applied strict standards of impartiality. Aeschylus was an…

the Athenian citizens. However, as with many historical figures, perceptions of Pericles can vary widely depending on the source. Thucydides, in his “History of the Peloponnesian War,” painted Pericles as a great statesman and orator who was capable of rallying the Athenians with charismatic speeches during times of crisis. Through the speeches Pericles gave, Thucydides is able to highlight the Athenian democracy, valor, and the necessity of defending the state’s honor, which put Pericles on a…