The History of the Peloponnesian War, by Thucydides

By DD John J Owen

"The History of the Peloponnesian War" by Thucydides offers a detailed account of the 5th-century BC conflict between Athens and Sparta. Written by an Athenian general who participated in the war, this historical narrative is renowned for its meticulous research, analysis of political and military events, and insightful exploration of human nature during times of war and crisis.

Thucydides' work is not merely a chronicle of battles and sieges but also a profound study of power, justice, and the consequences of political decisions. His objective and analytical style set a new standard for historical writing, influencing generations of historians and political thinkers. This edition provides readers with an accessible entry point to one of the most important works of classical history, offering valuable insights into the dynamics of ancient warfare and the complexities of political life in ancient Greece.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1023861437
• ISBN13: 9781023861434
• Release Date: May 2025
• Publisher: Hutson Street Press
• Length: 690 Pages
• Weight: 2.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Quite fascinating, but it needed time to trudge through. Translater John Jay Owen (1803–1869)

When you buy by the volume, be sure they are the same set. I once was in the U.S. Army. As part of our job, we were always encouraged to study history to see how people thought and how wars were executed. No war is ever the same, so what we are reading to learn is the why. There are also how people responded to different tactics and strategies. I found this easy to read as the translation made it appear like we were reading today’s news. Not just the actions but the politics of the time. There are great descriptions of the time and place. The only thing that is missing is visual maps to put the places in perspective. Luckily, you can get maps of the time off the net as a supplement. There is enough detail that it may require a second reading after you have digested the first. I am also looking for some good books to tell me what I would have noticed in this book. Be aware that translation is also very important, and you may want to read some different translations to get a better picture of the war.