Thucydides

Classical
Historian
 Who is the historian?
• Athenian (Greek) writer.
• Famous for his work: History of the
Peloponnesian War
• Details of his personal life are minimal...what does
exist comes from his own historical work.
• Lived and wrote during the 5th century BC. Most
historians have concluded he was born about 460
BCE.
• Born into a wealthy family with some influence.
According to Herodotus it is believed that
Thucydides was connected to the Thracian royalty
(Thrace was located in the north-eastern region of
Greece, near modern day Turkey).
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 Thucydides - in context
• Held a key military position (Strategoi or General) in
the Athenian Navy during the Peloponnesian War
against Sparta. However, lost a battle and as a
consequence his citizenship in Athens.
• While in exile is believed to have returned to his
gold-mining estate in Thrace and that provided for
him while he dedicated his time to his historical
book.
• While no formal information on his education has
been found, the style of writing suggests that he
was familiar with, if not trained in, Sophism
[Ancient Greek school of philosophy and rhetoric].
It has also been proposed that he had medical
training due to his clinical style of writing with
cause and effect.
 Modern views of
Thucydides
• “Is not only the Father of Scientific History, but also of
political ‘realism’, that school of thought which
posits that interstate relations are based on might
rather than right” (Alexander Kemos)
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• “Thus the fortunes of birth secured three signal
advantages to the future historian: he was rich; he
had two homes – one at Athens, the other in Thrace
– no small aid to a comprehensive study of the
conditions under which the Peloponnesian War was
waged; and his family connections were likely to
bring him from his early years into personal
intercourse with the men who were shaping the
history of the time.” (Paul Halsall. Fordham
University, NY)
 Thucydides: type of
history
• History of the Peloponnesian War
– is Thucydides ONLY historical
work.
• It is a story or recount of the great
conflict between Athens and
Sparta from 431 – 404 BCE.
• In the form most familiar to
modern readers, it is an eight
book piece of literature.
 Purpose and Motive
• “Thucydides, an Athenian, wrote
the history of the war between
the Peloponnesians and the
Athenians, beginning at the
moment that it broke out, and
believing that it would be a great
war, and more worthy of relation
than any that had proceeded it.
This belief was not without its
grounds...”
 Historical Techniques

1. Read the extract from Wikipedia on the “History of

the Peloponnesian War.”
a. In your own words, outline the methods that Thucydides
used to construct his history.
b. Describe the views that have been taken of Thucydides
historical method and process.
2.
3. Read John Warren “History and the Historians”,
Section 9 – Thucydides and his sources.
a. What is Warren’s criticism of Thucydides work and is it
justified?
b. Thucydides is often bestowed the title of the Father of
Scientific History, would Warren’s assessment of him
be seen as favourable and fitting of that title. Provide
evidence of your view.
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