The Peloponnesian War: Book II

Αρχαία Ελληνική Γραμματεία: Οι Έλληνες

by Thucydides, Jeffrey Rusten (Editor)

The second book of Thucydides is of particular interest because it contains important sections on the funeral oration, the account of the plague at Athens and the obituary of Pericles. His exceptionally complex structure and techniques make Thucydides one of the most difficult as well as one of the most profound of ancient historians. Professor Rusten aims to assist students at all levels in learning to read Thucydides. The text, in Greek, is supported by a valuable introduction and commentary in English. In his commentary, Rusten scrutinizes the historical, literary, and philosophical aspects. The introduction surveys biographical interpretations of the text, suggests a new approach to fictive elements in the speeches, and sketches the main features of Thucydidean style.

Genres: History, Classics, Nonfiction

276 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 412

About the author

Thucydides (c. 460 B.C. – c. 400 B.C.) (Greek Θουκυδίδης ) was an Athenian historian and general. His History of the Peloponnesian War recounts the fifth-century BC war between Sparta and Athens until the year 411 BC. Thucydides has been dubbed the father of "scientific history" by those who accept his claims to have applied strict standards of impartiality and evidence-gathering and analysis of cause and effect, without reference to intervention by the gods, as outlined in his introduction to his work.
He also has been called the father of the school of political realism, which views the political behavior of individuals and the subsequent outcomes of relations between states as ultimately mediated by, and constructed upon, fear and self-interest. His text is still studied at universities and military colleges worldwide. The Melian dialogue is regarded as a seminal text of international relations theory, while his version of Pericles' Funeral Oration is widely studied by political theorists, historians, and students of the classics.
More generally, Thucydides developed an understanding of human nature to explain behavior in such crises as plagues, massacres, and wars.

Reviews

[I-kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the excellent commentaries of this series. Rusten maintains almost a perfect balance between clarification of T.'s tortuous grammar, info on contemporary historical research and explanation of philological issues. Constant references to Smyth and Denniston really helps. Not the best place to start, though, more suitable for intermediate level readers...

[Spyros Stavroulakis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Έναρξη του πολέμου, εκστρατεία των Πελοποννησίων στην Αττική, ναυτικές επιχειρήσεις των Αθηναίων στην Πελοπόννησο, λοιμός στην Αθήνα (πανώλη;), Περικλής και θάνατός του, πολιορκία των Πλαταιών και της Ποτίδαιας, πρώτες ναυμαχίες των Αθηναίων εναντίων των Πελοποννησίων με νικητές τους πρώτους. Και το ταξείδι συνεχίζεται...

[Alexis Tsipas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Η αρχή του πολέμου, η εισβολή στις Πλαταιές, ο λοιμός στην Αθήνα, η εισβολή των Σπαρτιατών στην Αττική , λεηλασίες της Πελοποννήσου από τους Αθηναίους, ο επιτάφιος του Περικλή.

[Aaron Schuschu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thebes and Petaea get into it, one of them calls up Athens, Athens is like remember the Greco- Persian Wars? Good times. And then the Peloponnesians (or is it the Athenians?) invade Attica and the plague hits. So the Peloponnesians invade Petaea and are momentarily waylaid by Phormio’s navy. At which point I’m pretty sure it was Athens started calling up the Thracians.

[Paulina Flores · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate you!