Peloponnesian War Book Report

In History of the Peloponnesian War, Thucydides accounts for twenty-one of the twenty-seven years of the Peloponnesian war. This was fought between two major Greek powers, The Delian League; led by Athens and the Peloponnesian League; led by Sparta. Unfortunately, due to his death, Thucydides was unable to finish writing for the full twenty-seven years and his History, was left incomplete. Over the course of eight books, with a total of twenty-six chapters, Thucydides analyses, narrates, and debates the history surrounding this monumental event. With this book, modern historians can better understand the nature of these times and discover the essential background information needed to piece history together. Although Thucydides has attempted
Following this, Book Two draws upon the military strategies of either side. Athens, dependant on their sophisticated agricultural system, access to the sea, and wall of defense; and Sparta, with their charismatic nature, trying to rally other polis to revolt against Athens. Whilst Athens’ wall was a successful defence tactic; they were unable to anticipate the effect it would have on the people’s heath. The isolation it left people in, resulted in a plague, which swept over Athens, leaving their people weak and in most cases, dead. Book Two also brings into account, Pericles’ speech at the funeral oration. Here, he gives praises to the city to honor their death. He says that because of the city’s greatness, it attracts good things and the death of his people will not be forgotten. In Book Three, Thucydides writes of the Mytilene debate, which would determine the fate of the city. In this section, it is also made clear why Thucydides is viewed as the father of the theory of realism. His description of humans, at this time, was completely savage; living up to the age-old name barbarians. Following, In Book Four, Thucydides