The Peloponnesian War Book Report

1430 Words6 Pages
The Peloponnesian War, 431-404 BC, was possibly one of the greatest wars the ancient world had ever seen, an ultimate warfare between two Greek leagues, the Delian and Peloponnesian league, two major city sates- Athens, with its formidable navy and Sparta with its harsh and strong soldiers, the two who had an existing rivalry for years. The outcome resulted in Hellenes completely distraught. Evidence of this century has caused a mission to uncover, as many historians did not exist in that era. However, one historian stood out, shone, and put his talented writings on display, and became one of the greatest historians of all time, according to Steven Lattimore “Thucydides was the first great historian in the modern style and even the first modern…show more content…
The growth of power of Athens and the alarm which this inspired Lacedaemon made war inevitable.” This quote is then backed up by Josiah Ober “The main reason for the wars launch was the Spartan fear of Athens growing power and prosperity and Athens rule over most of the Mediterranean region along Greece fifty years before the war instigated it.”2 Thucydides goes into painstaking detail and tries to make reason in his writings and when the causes of the Peloponnesian war Book II is reviewed it’s easy to understand due to Thucydides in depth analysis of the Peloponnesian war. Thucydides view remained unbiased throughout his account of the Peloponnesian war, while others fell victim to the trap. Also, as Patsavos writes, “His mind was molded under the influence of the Sophistic movement…,” meaning, the Sophists, a category of teachers who instilled reason and impartiality, influenced Thucydides greatly.3 Thucydides was grown up in a rich family, he received the best education possible, the teaching that Thucydides grew up with was on the foundation of which Thucydides used for his work, this foundation were the seeds of his writing flower, and are undoubtedly one of the reasons Thucydides reported on events so accurately. Moreover, Thucydides was banished from Athens due to his loss as a general in the battle of Amphipolis, and instead of growing a disliking to Athens he took it the other way and saw a positive light and seems to believe that the banishment was a positive factor for his writings, “… and being present with both parties [Athenians and Peloponnesians]…I had leisure to observe affairs more closely.”4 Spoken as a true historian, even though he could have easily turned to prejudice, he decided to take the exile and gain knowledge from it. Thus, through his refusal to take sides, Thucydides can surely be title a fair and just
Show More
Related

  • Herodotus And Thucydides: Peloponnesian And Persian War

    1287 Words  | 6 Pages

    Greek history, but they each shaped the future of historical writing in there 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 of the way he went beyond just storytelling in explaining history. He has been anointed as the world’s first Western historian. Herodotus’s book The Histories, a record of his inquiries into the events of the conflict between the Persian Empire

    Read More

  • Comparison Of Herodotus And The Persian War

    1004 Words  | 5 Pages

    Persian War (499-479 BCE) witnessed a unified Hellenic response to repel foreign invaders while the Peloponnesian War (431–404 BCE) was distinguished by the polarization of former allies, Athens and Sparta, engaged in war. We know of these events, which transpired nearly 2,500 years ago, mainly because of the works of two men, Herodotus and Thucydides. Herodotus focused his writing on the events of, and surrounding, the Persian War where Thucydides’ major topic of inquiry was on the Peloponnesian War

    Read More

  • Thucydides Vs Arrian Analysis

    992 Words  | 4 Pages

    any case Alexander had not achieved his conquests all by himself…” Cleitus then went on to say that he had saved Alexander’s life, which struck a nerve in him. He took one of his guards’ spears and killed Cleitus in an instant. After he gives his report of this story of Cleitus’ death, Arrian includes his opinion on the happenings. He explains that he “deplores the insolence Cleitus showed his king” and that he “commends Alexander’s conduct in the aftermath, for he recognized immediately that he

    Read More

More about The Peloponnesian War Book Report

Open Document