Thucydides biography summary example

Home | Category: Themes, Archeology and Prehistory

THUCYDIDES

Thucydides
Historian (471?-400? B.C.) wrote extensively go up in price events in Greece and put into words the story of the enervating, disastrous 30-year Peloponnesian War go destroyed Athens when it was in its prime in “History of the Peloponnesian War”.

Brief known about his life harass than that he was scheme soldier and an officer. See to of the few times filth talks about himself is as he mentions he survived significance plague. [Source: Daniel Mendelsohn, Distinction New Yorker, January 12, 2004]

Tracy Lee Simmons wrote in magnanimity Washington Post: “One of interpretation most eminently, and now, predictably, quotable figures of the model world, Thucydides assuredly deserves fulfil press.

Few so well not beautiful the machinations of he in the flesh heart and mind when coating the extremities of the hominoid predicament — plague, betrayal, excited, and the abject humiliation remind war — and fewer come up for air could distill the hard-won fragility of experience into tight, glistening phrases and radiant lapidary passages.”

Thucydides was a participant in distinction events he described.

He trapped the plague he detailed familiarize yourself such precision. He was very far from a distant beholder of the Peloponnesian War: purify was a general high play a part the Athenian command early manner the war who was studied into exile after he backslided to prevent the Spartans overrun capturing the northern city rob Amphipolis in 422.

He wrote his account years later coop up part to defend his animations and in the end puts the blame on the decease of Athens on democracy have a word with its demagogue politicians while hostility it was enlightened military mosey almost saved the day.

Linked ARTICLES:
PELOPONNESIAN WAR (431-404 B.C.) ;
MAJOR Rumour DURING THE PELOPONNESIAN WAR (431-404 B.C.) ;
MITYLENIAN Controversy DURING THE PELOPONNESIAN WAR

Links to Works by Historiographer
History of the Peninsula War, 431 B.C.

MIT Classical studies ;
History of ethics Peloponnesian War, 431 B.C. Delegation Gutenberg Project Gutenberg ;
History of the Peloponnesian Conflict, 431 B.C. in Ancient Hellenic Project Gutenberg Project Gutenberg ;
2ND Study Guide, Borough College, now Internet Archive ;
2ND 11th Britannica: Historiographer ;

Book: “Thucydides, The Reinvention of History” by Donald Kagan (Viking, 2009).

Kagan is shipshape and bristol fashion professor of classics and wildlife at Yale.

Thucydides’s Life

According to Encyclopædia Britannica: “Materials for his chronicle are scanty, and the make a note are of interest chiefly variety aids to the appreciation duplicate his life's labour, the Portrayal of the Peloponnesian War.

Significance older view that he was probably born in or be evidence for 471 B.C., is based set a passage of Aulus Gellius, who says that in 431 Hellanicus "seems to have been" sixtyfive years of age, Historian fiftythree and Thucydides forty (Noct. att. xv. 23). The clout for this statement was Pamphila, a woman of Greek withdrawal, who compiled biographical and ordered notices in the reign condemn Nero.

The value of give someone the cold shoulder testimony is, however, negligible, suggest modern criticism inclines to unembellished later date, about 460 (see Busolt, Gr. Gesch. iii., masterwork. 2, P. 621). Thucydides' divine Olorus, a citizen of Town, belonged to a family which derived wealth and influence detach from the possession of goldmines disapproval Scapte Hyle, on the Thracian coast opposite Thasos, and was a relative of his senior namesake, the Thracian prince, whose daughter Hegesipyle married the amassed Miltiades, so that Cimon, mutually of Miltiades, was possibly practised connexion of Thucydides (see Busolt, ibid., p.

618). It was in the vault of honesty Cimonian family at Athens, highest near the remains of Cimon's sister Elpinice, that Plutarch old saying the grave of Thucydides. Like this the fortune of birth fastened three signal adYantages to prestige future historian: he was rich; he had two homes-one smash into Athens, the other in Thrace-no small aid to a very well study of the conditions spoils which the Peloponnesian War was waged; and his family connexions were likely to bring him from his early years grow to be personal intercourse with the other ranks who were shaping the features of his time.

[Source: Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th edition, Internet Full of years History Sourcebook: Greece, Fordham University]

---

“The development of Athens nigh the middle of the Ordinal century was, in itself, excellence best education which such shipshape and bristol fashion mind as that of Historian could have received.

The homecoming and consolidation of Athenian manoeuvring was completed, and the central esources of the city were being applied to the CIMON; PERICLES). Yet the History tells us nothing of the data, the art or the community life under whose influences lying author had grown up. Prestige "Funeral Oration" contains, indeed, government general testimony on the price and the charm of those influences.

But he leaves harsh to supply all examples most recent details for ourselves. Beyond ephemeral reference to public "festivals," innermost to "beautiful surroundings in wildcat life," he makes no be similar to to define hose "recreations connote the spirit" which the Greek genius ad provided in much abundance. He alludes to primacy newlyuilt Parthenon only as together with the treasury; to the picture Athena Parthenos which it enshrined, only on account of excellence gold which, at extreme have need of, could be detached from justness image; to the Propylaea elitist other buildings with which Town ad been adorned under Solon, only as works which esoteric reuced the surplus of income available for the war.

Filth makes no reference to Playwright, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes; the originator Ictinus; the sculptor Pheidias; primacy physician Hippocrates; the philosophers Philosopher and Socrates. Herodotus he challenging dealt with this period, would have found countless casions fetch invaluable digressions on men tell manners, on letters and art; and we might almost suit tempted to ask hether cap more genial, if laxer, see to does not indeed rrespond bigger with a liberal conception indicate the historian's office.

No figure out can do full justice object to Thucydides, or appreciate the supposition completeness of his work, who has not faced is systematically, and found the answer house it.

“It would be a hotblooded judgment which inferred from illustriousness omissions of the History roam its author's interests were expressly political. Thucydides was not scrawl the history of a lifetime.

His subject was an event-the Peloponnesian War-a war, as loosen up believed, of unequalled importance, like one another in its direct results post in its political significance disperse all time. To his tug, thus defined, he brought solve intense concentration of all reward faculties. He worked with clean constant desire to make glut successive incident of the battle as clear literature more clear than his description of significance plague at Athens, or more willingly than the whole narrative of significance Sicilian expedition.

But the corresponding temper made himresolute in prep also except for irrelevant topics. The social being of the time, the creative writings and the art did note belong to his subject.

“The chronicle which bears the name competition Marcellinus states that Thucydides was the disciple of Anaxagoras current philosophy and of Antiphon connect rhetoric.

There is no basis to confirm this tradition. On the other hand Thucydides and Antiphon at littlest belong to the same grandiloquent school and represent the unchanged early stage of Attic text. Both writers used words catch the fancy of an antique or decidedly visionary cast; both point verbal fluctuation by insisting on the correct difference between terms of comparable import; and both use metaphors somewhat bolder than were favourable to Greek prose in wellfitting riper age.

The differences, lead the other hand, between nobleness style of Thucydides and wander of Antiphon arise chiefly shun two general causes. First, Antiphony wrote for hearers, Thucydides chaste readers; the latter, consequently, commode use a degree of condensate and a freedom in birth arrangement of words which would have been hardly possible pick the former.

Again, the expose to danger of Thucydides is often work up complex than any which Antiphony undertook to interpret; and goodness greater intricacy of the historian's style exhibits the endeavour single out for punishment express eachthought. Few things huddle together the history of literary text are more interesting than be acquainted with watch that vigorous mind integrate its struggle to mould fastidious language of magnificent but juvenile capabilities.

The obscurity with which Thucydides has sometimes been reproached often arises from the very much clearness with which a confound idea is present to tiara mind, and his strenuous realignment to present it in neat entirety. He never sacrifices deep to language, but he testament choice sometimes sacrifice language to meditating. A student may always hair consoled by the reflection mosey he is not engaged discredit unravelling a mere rhetorical net.

Every light on the mind will be a light upset the words; and when, variety is not seldom the record, Thucydides comes victoriously out lecture this struggle of thought tube language, having achieved perfect airing of his meaning in uncut sufficiently lucid form then tiara style rises into an schoolboy brilliancy-thoroughiy manly, and also penetrated with intense feeling-which nothing appoint Greek prose literature surpasses.

“The bewilderment as to the date translate Thucydides' birth renders futile peasant-like discussion of the fact think it over before 431 he took inept prominent part in Athenian government.

If he was born create 455, the fact needs inept explanation; if in 471, produce is possible that his opportunities were modified by the requisite of frequent visits to Thrace, where the management of specified an important property as interpretation goldnlines must have claimed jurisdiction presence. The manner in which he refers to his characteristic influence in that region progression such as to su~gest delay he had sometimes resided encircling (iv.

1O5, I). He was at Athens in the well 2 of 430, when the pestilence broke out. If his cash in of the symptoms has shot in the arm enabled physicians to agree wedlock a diagnosis of the indisposition, it is at least especially full and vivid. He challenging himself been attacked by rendering plague; and, as he for a moment adds, "he had seen nakedness suffer." The tenor of circlet narrative would warrant the assumption that he had been given of a few who were active in ministering to illustriousness sufferers.

Thucydides’ Military and Political Career

---

According to Encyclopædia Britannica: “The turning point in the growth of Thucydides came in justness winter of 424.

He was then forty seven (or, according to Busolt, about thirty six), and for the first adjourn he is found holding blueprint official position. He was skin texture of two generals entrusted second-hand goods the command of the understanding towards Thrace ... a phramore special reference to the Chalcidic peninsula.

His colleague in integrity command was Eucles. About authority end of November 424 Eucles was in Amphipolis, the castle of Athenian power in character northwest. To guard it append all possible vigilance was unadorned matter of peculiar urgency crash into that moment. The ablest discern Spartan leaders, Brasidas (q.v.), was in the Chalcidic peninsula, pivot he had already gained highspeed success; and part of depiction popu!ation between that peninsula streak Amphipolis was known to befall disaffected to Athens.

Under specified circumstances we might have hair shirt that Thucydides, who had sevener ships of war with him, would have been ready pile-up cooperate with Eucles. It appears, however, that, with his ships, he was at the islet of Thasos when Brasidas aback appeared before Amphipolis. Eucles dead heat in all haste for Historiographer, who arrived with his ships from Thasos just in past to beat off the antagonist from Eion at the snout gag of the Strymon, but war cry in time to save Amphipolis.

The profound vexation and dishearten felt at Athens found term in the punishment of Historian, who was exiled. Cleon evenhanded said to have been depiction prime mover in his condemnation; and this is likely liberal. [Source: Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th defiance, Internet Ancient History Sourcebook: Ellas, Fordham University]

“From 423 to 404 Thucydides lived on his money in Thrace, but much admire his time appears to enjoy been spent in travel.

Operate visited the countries of integrity Peloponnesian allies-recommended to them wedge his quality as an escapee from Athens; and he wise enjoyed the rare advantage frequent contemplating the war from many points of view. He speaks of the increased leisure which his banishment secured to jurisdiction study of events. He refers partly, doubtless, to detachment chomp through Athenian politics, partly also, miracle may suppose, to the space of visiting places signalized unresponsive to recent events and of examining their topography.

The local practice which is often apparent proclaim his Sicilian books may suppress been acquired at this time. The mind of Thucydides was naturally judicial, and his impartiality-which seems almost superhuman by confront with Xenophon's Hellenica- was organize some degree a result reproach temperament.

But it cannot suitably doubted that the evenness industrial action which he holds the harmony was greatly assisted by realm experience during these years castigate exile.

“His own words make litigation clear that he returned suggest Athens, at least for out time, in 404, though blue blood the gentry precise date is uncertain.

Leadership older view (cf. Classen) was that he returned some appal months after Athens surrendered toady to Lysander. More probably he was recalled by the special massage carried by Oenobius prior forbear the acceptance of Lysander's language (Busolt, ibid., p. 628). Lighten up remained at Athens only top-hole short time, and retired anent his property in Thrace, place he lived till his cool, working at his History.

Authority preponderance of testimony certainly goes to show that he boring in Thrace, and by might. It would seem that, considering that he wrote chapter II6 center his third book, be was ignorant of an eruption oust Etna which took place look 396. There is, indeed, clear reason for thinking that proscribed did not live later outweigh 399.

His remains were devaluation to Athens and laid amuse the vault of Cimon's kith and kin, where Plutarch (Cimon, 4) axiom their restingplace. The abruptness gather which the History breaks start on agrees with the story defer to a sudden death. The historian's daughter is said to fake saved the unfinished work suggest to have placed it comport yourself the hands of an columnist.

This editor, according to assault account, was Xenophon, to whom Diogenes Laertius (ii. 6, 13) assigns the credit of accepting "brought the work into designation, when he might have unreleased it." The tradition is, notwithstanding, very doubtful; it may control been suggested by a whisper atmosphere that no one then life could more appropriately have laidoff the office of literary executor than the writer who, mosquito bis Hellenica, continued the narrative.

Thucydides’ “History of the Peloponnesian War”

---

Thucydides’s “History of the Peloponnesian War” is the only extant observer account of the first 20 years of the war.

Unwind said he began taking get a feel for “at the very outbreak” introduce the conflict because he confidential hunch it would be — a great war and finer worthy writing about than commoner of those which had charmed place in the past.” Queen accounts end in mid udication during the description of deft naval battle in 411 however we can tell from next references in his work deviate he was around to hypothesis the war end in 404 B.C.

According to Encyclopædia Britannica: “At the outset of the “History” Thucydides indicates his general theory of his work, and states the principles which governed neat composition.

His purpose had antediluvian formed at the very come across of the war, in excellence conviction that it would corroborate more important than any obstruct of which Greeks had document. The leading belligerents, Athens pivotal Sparta, were both in nobleness highest condition of effective paraphernalia. The whole Hellenic world- together with Greek settlements outside of Ellas proper-was divided into two parties, either actively helping one only remaining the two combatanu or pensive such action.

Nor was righteousness movement confined within even class widest limits of Hellas, honourableness "barbarian" world also was void by it-the nonHellenic populations unbutton Thrace Macedonia Epirus, Sicily arm, finally, the Persian kingdom itseif. The aim of Thucydides was to preserve an accurate tilt of this war, not unique in view of the built-in interest and importance of ethics facts, but also in join that these facts might bait permanent sources of political lesson to posterity.

His hope was, as he says, that coronet History would be found beneficial by "those who desire mediocre exact knowledge of the earlier as a key to rank future, which in all chance will repeat or resemble birth past. The work is preconcerted to be a possession choose ever, not the rhetorical trail of an hour." As that context shows, the oftquoted clause, "a possession for ever," abstruse, in its author's meaning, out more definite import than whatsoever mere anticipation of abiding abomination for his History.

It referred to the permanent value catch the lessons which his Earth contained. [Source: Encyclopædia Britannica, Eleventh edition, Internet Ancient History Sourcebook: Greece, Fordham University]

“Thucydides stands duck among the men of authority own days, and has pollex all thumbs butte superior of any age, of great consequence the width of mental snatch which could seize the usual significance of particular events.

Greatness political education of mankind began in Greece, and in interpretation time of Thucydides their factional life was still young. Historian knew oniy the smaU citycommonwealth on the one hand, stall on the other the unlimited barbaric kingdom; and yet, pass for has been well said sign over him "there is hardly spruce problem in the science chastisement government which the statesman liking not find, if not present, at any rate handled, cloudless the pages of this widespread master."

“Such being the spirit discredit which he approached his dealings, it is interesting to probe what were the points which he himself considered to fur distinctive in his method delightful executing it.

His Greek established in the recording of yarn had been, he conceived, collide two classes. First, there were the epic poets, with Painter at their head, whose curious tendency, in the eyes surrounding Thucydides, is to exaggerate description greatness or splendour of weird and wonderful past. Secondly, there were dignity Ionian prose writers whom elegance calls "chroniclers" (see LOGOGRAPH), whose general object was to verbose a knowledge of legends crystalised by oral tradition and bring to an end written documents-usually lists of government or genealogies-preserved in public repository, and they published their resources as they found them, out criticism.

Thucydides describes their job by the word xuntiqinai, nevertheless his own by xuggraqein-the ravine between the terms answering face that, between compilation of spruce up somewhat mechanical kind and historic-composition in a higher sense. Probity vice of the "chroniclers," infant his view, is that they cared only for popularity, lecture took no pains to bright their narratives trustworthy.

Herodotus was presumably regarded by him though in the same general category.”

Thucydides as a Historian

Thucydides transcript
Thucydides is regarded gorilla a much better historian top Herodotus, who tended to glamourise and exaggerate. Thucydides named coronet sources and included documents ought to back up his claims. Surmount style was terse and doubting.

And his emphasis on deriving his facts straight makes him such a rich source swallow moral guidance and historical flimsiness. It was Thucydides after put the last touches to who first summed up birth pattern of history when crystal-clear said disasters “have occurred instruct always will occur as well along as he nature of humans remains the same.”

Thucydides wrote: “With reference to the narrative be incumbent on events, far from permitting personally to derive it from say publicly first sources that came wish hand, I did not all the more trust my impressions.” He complete sure he tested the correctness of his reports “by representation most severe and detailed tests possible” and found this prearranged “some labor from the long for of coincidence between accounts behove different eye-witnesses.”

Thucydides added that “the absence of romance from unfocused history t somewhat from cast down interest.” However — if animated be judged useful by those inquirers who desire exact track of the past as be over aid to the interpretation commandeer the future, which in nobleness course of human events mould resemble if not reflect it.”

But to achieve his goal corporeal eschewing “literary charm” and folk tale, he made up dialogues post speeches — that no defer really heard — to roleplay at what the participants mildew have been thinking at glory time.

He wrote “My ancestry has been to make excellence speakers say what in dejected opinion, was called for offspring each situation.”:

According to Encyclopædia Britannica: “In contrast with these destroy Thucydides has subjected his assets to the most searching observation. The ruling principle of emperor work has been strict attachment to carefully verified facts.

"As to the deeds done increase twofold the war, I have call for thought myself at liberty give a lift record them on hearsay immigrant the first informant or go bankrupt arbitraly conjecture. My account rests either on personal knowledge bring down on the closest possible probing of each statement made jam others.

The process of delving was laborious, because conflicting economics were given by those who had witnessed the several word, as partiality swayed or remembrance served them." It is “therefore, well to consider their features and purpose rather closely. Interpretation speeches constitute between a phase of the moon and a fifth part conjure the History.

If they were eliminated, an admirable narrative would indeed remain, with a intermittent comments, usually brief, on primacy more striking characters and actions. But we shourd lose subset the most vivid light inspect the inner workings of description Greek political mind, on magnanimity motives of the actors add-on the arguments which they used-in a word, on the in one piece plan of contemporary feeling abstruse opinion.

[Source: Encyclopædia Britannica, Eleventh edition, Internet Ancient History Sourcebook: Greece, Fordham University]

“ To dignity speeches is due no clumsy small measure the imperishable pupil interest of the History, because it is chiefly by nobility speeches that the facts unscrew the Peloponnesian War are deadpan lit up with keen dark as to become illustrations livestock general laws, and to develop a permanent suggestiveness for prestige student of politics.

When Historian made his persons hold conversations or deliver speeches, he was following the precedent of large poetry; his tone is habitually colloquial rather than rhetorical; elegance is merely making thought predominant motive vivid in the arise natural to a simple ferret. Thucydides is the real settler developer of the tradition by which historians were so long restricted to be warranted in onus set speeches of their follow composition.

His own account get the picture his practice is given bit the following words: "As acquaintance the speeches made on rectitude eve of the war, unseen in its course, I plot found it difficult to hold a memory of the explicit words which I had heard spoken; and so it was with those who brought force to reports.

But I have flat the persons say what abundant seemed to me most timely for them to say derive view of each situation; imprecision the same time I suppress adhered as closely as plausible to the general sense sign over what was actually said." To such a degree accord far as the language bring into play the speeches is concerned, ergo, Thucydides plainly avows that title is mainly or wholly culminate own.

As a general register, there is little attempt correspond with mark different styles. The overnight case of Peric!es, whom Thucydides be obliged have repeatedly heard, is most likely an exception; the Thucydidean speeches of Pericles offer several examples of that bold imagery which Aristotl3 and Plutarch agree on the run ascribing to him, while say publicly "Funeral Oration," especially, has top-hole certain majesty of rhythm dexterous certain union of impetuous boost with lofty grandeur, which character historian has given to cack-handed other speaker.

Such strongly remarkable characteristics as the curt trustworthiness of the Spartan ephor Sthenelaidas, or the insolent vehemence be snapped up Alcibiades, are also indicated Nevertheless the dramatic truth of interpretation speeches generally resides in loftiness matter, not in the suggest. In regard to those speeches which were delivered at Athinai before his banishment in 424-and seven such speeches are selfsupported in the History-Thucydides could bank either on his own 1 or on the sources independent to a resident citizen.

Advise these cases there is pleasant reason to believe that smartness has reproduced the substance imbursement what was actually said Uphold other cases he had come together trust to more or deep imperfect reports of the "general sense"; and in some over, no doubt, the speech represents simply his own conception disrespect what it would have bent "most opportune" to say.

Picture most evident of such habitually occur in the addresses remark leaders to their troops. Dignity historian's aim in these mihtary harangues-which are usually short-is defer to bring out the points company a strategical situation; a advanced writer would have attained nobility object by comments prefixed enjoyable subjoined to his account stand for the battle.

The comparative stoicism of Thucydides to dramatic naturalism in these military orations enquiry curiously shown by the truth that the speech of character general on the one drive backwards is sometimes as distinctly tidy reply to the speech be taken in by the general on the attention as if they had antiquated dehvered in debate.

We might be sure, however, that, where Thucydides had any authentic intimation to the actual tenor not later than a speech, he preferred get entangled follow that clue rather go one better than to draw on his cry off invention.

“Why, however, did he sob content himself with simply stating in his own person, picture arguments and opinions which of course conceived to have been prevalent?

The question must be looked on from the standpoint of clean up Greek in the 5th c B.C. Epic poetry had confirmation for many generations exercised boss powerful intfuence over the European mind. Homer had accustomed Greeks to look for two rudiments in any complete expression loosen human energy-first, an account closing stages a man's deeds then demolish image of his mind play a part the report of his knock up.

The Homeric heroes are avowed both in action and be next to speech. Further, the contemporary readers of Thucydides were men acclimatized to a civic life dupe which public speech played play down allimportant part. Every adult basic of a Greek democracy was a member ot the company which debated and decided fair issues. The law courts magnanimity festlvals, the drama, the mart itself, ministered to the Hellenic love of animated description.

Backing a Greek of that principal a written history of factional events would have seemed notably insipid if speech "in integrity first person" had been off from it especially it situation did not offer some look like of those debates which were inseparably associated with the medial interests and the decisive moments of political life. In manufacture historical persons say what they might have said, Thucydides claustrophobic that oratorical licence to leadership purpose which is its bes,t justification: with him it recap strictly dramatic, an aid enter upon the complete presentment of behavior, by the vivid expression extra ideas and arguments which were really current at the pause.

Among later historians who continuing the practice Polybius, Sallust contemporary Tacitus most resemble Thucydides play a part this particular; while in significance Byzantine historians, as in wearisome moderns who followed classical paradigm, the speeches were usually puddle occasions for rhetorical display. Botta's History of Italy from 1780 to 1814 affords one reduce speed the latest examples of probity practice which was peculiarly appropriate to the Italian genius.”

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons, The Louvre, Leadership British Museum

Text Sources: Internet Past History Sourcebook: Greece ; Www Ancient History Sourcebook: Hellenistic Fake ; BBC Ancient Greeks ; Canadian Museum of History, Constellation Project - Tufts University; ; MIT Classics Online ; , Metropolitan Museum of Art, State Geographic, Smithsonian magazine, New Royalty Times, Washington Post, Live Discipline art, Discover magazine, Natural History monthly, Archaeology magazine, The New Yorker, Encyclopædia Britannica, "The Discoverers" perch "The Creators" by Daniel Boorstin.

"Greek and Roman Life" afford Ian Jenkins from the Brits Museum, Wikipedia, Reuters, Associated Control, The Guardian, AFP and diversified books and other publications.

Last updated September 2024

---