Thucydides

460 BC - 400 BC

About the Author

Thucydides, who lived during the second half of the fifth century B.C., is considered the greatest of the ancient Greek historians. His work, The Peloponnesian War, recounts the fifth-century B.C. struggle between Athens and Sparta and is the first piece of historical writing to combine political and ethical reflections with history. His personal history is unknown except for the small bits of information revealed in his narrative.

In The Library:

• author: The English Works of Thomas Hobbes, vol. 8 (Thucydides’ Peloponnesian War Part I) (1839)
• author: The English Works of Thomas Hobbes, vol. 9 (Thucydides’ Peloponnesian War Part II) (1839)

Quotations:

• Thucydides on political intrigue in the divided city of Corcyra caused by the “desire to rule” (5thC BC) (3 March, 2008)