Thucydides
Athenian historian and general who chronicled the Peloponnesian War.
Thucydides was an Athenian historian and general who wrote the History of the Peloponnesian War, recounting the 5th-century BC conflict between Sparta and Athens until the year 411 BC. He is considered the father of 'scientific history' for his claims to have applied strict standards of impartiality, evidence-gathering, and analysis of cause and effect without reference to divine intervention. He is also regarded as the father of the school of political realism, viewing political behavior as mediated by fear and self-interest.
- born
- c. 460 BC
- died
- c. 400 BC
- field
- History, political theory
- nationality
- Athenian
- known_for
- History of the Peloponnesian War, father of scientific history and political realism
Lore & Background
Thucydides identified himself as an Athenian, stating his father's name was Olorus and that he was from the deme of Halimous. He fought in the war, contracted the plague, and was exiled by the democracy. He may have been involved in quelling the Samian Revolt. According to one disputed anecdote, as a youth he heard a lecture by Herodotus and decided to write history. He survived the Plague of Athens and recorded a first observation of acquired immunity. He owned gold mines at Scapte Hyle in Thrace.
Reader's Guide
Thucydides's significance lies in his methodological approach to history, emphasizing impartiality, evidence, and cause-and-effect analysis without divine intervention. His work is foundational for political realism, arguing that fear and self-interest drive state behavior. The Melian dialogue is a seminal text in international relations theory, and his version of Pericles's Funeral Oration is widely studied. His text remains studied at universities and military colleges worldwide. Thucydides developed an understanding of human nature to explain behavior in crises such as plagues, massacres, and wars. His even-handed presentation includes scathing appraisals of democratic leaders like Cleon and Hyperbolus, and he admired Pericles while disapproving of radical democracy. His legacy endures as a model for historical and political analysis.
Did You Know?
- Thucydides survived the Plague of Athens and recorded a first observation of acquired immunity.
- He owned gold mines at Scapte Hyle in Thrace, which funded his historical research after exile.
- His father's name, Olorus, was a Thracian royal name, suggesting family connections to Thracian royalty.
- His narrative breaks off abruptly in the middle of the year 411 BC, traditionally attributed to his death.
Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)
"For the love of gain would reconcile the weaker to the dominion of the stronger, and the possession of capital enabled the more powerful to reduce the smaller cities to subjection." — Thucydides "But as the power of Hellas grew, and the acquisition of wealth became more an objective, the revenues of the states increasing, tyrannies were established almost everywhere..." — Thucydides "So little pains do the vulgar take in the investigation of truth, accepting readily the first story that comes to hand." — Thucydides "Variant translation: "...the search for truth strains the patience of most people, who would rather believe the first things that come to hand." Translation by Paul Woodruff." — Thucydides
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