Thucydides was an Athenian historian and general born circa 460 BCE, whose Experience in the Peloponnesian War deeply shaped his analytical approach to History. Living in a Time of intense political strife and intellectual flourishing in Classical Greece, Thucydides wrote "History of the Peloponnesian War" during his Exile, meticulously documenting the 5th-century BCE Conflict between Athens and Sparta. Unpublished in his lifetime, his Work circulated through copies, profoundly influencing perceptions of Power and realpolitik. Though initially overshadowed by contemporaries like Herodotus, Thucydides' critical method became a cornerstone of historical study. His rigorous analysis impacted later historians and political theorists, lending insight to fields as varied as International Relations and Military Strategy, resonating through Western Thought and beyond.
Guiding Question
How does the pursuit of power corrupt both the victor and the vanquished?