Thucydides (c. 460–400 BCE) Flashcards
Where was Thucydides born?
Halimous, a district of Athens.
What was Thucydides’ major work?
The History of the Peloponnesian War.
During which war did Thucydides serve as a general?
The Peloponnesian War.
Why was Thucydides exiled from Athens?
He failed to defend the city of Amphipolis.
What set Thucydides’ historical writing apart from others of his time?
He focused on factual accuracy and cause-and-effect relationships rather than divine intervention.
What period of history does Thucydides’ work cover?
The Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta (431–404 BCE).
How did Thucydides view human behavior in history?
He focused on the psychology of leaders and the consequences of human decisions, emphasizing power dynamics.
What is Thucydides considered the father of?
Scientific history and political realism.
How did Thucydides gather information for his history?
Through eyewitness accounts and his own experiences, including his time as a general.
What major event during the Peloponnesian War did Thucydides survive?
The plague of Athens.
Why is Thucydides’ work sometimes criticized?
He sometimes created speeches for historical figures, which may not have been entirely accurate.
Why is Thucydides’ History considered unfinished?
It ends abruptly in 411 BCE, seven years before the war concluded.
What key themes did Thucydides explore in his work?
The corrupting influence of power, the fragility of democracy, and the brutal nature of war.
How is Thucydides’ work relevant today?
His analysis of power and human nature influences modern political science, international relations, and military strategy.
How did Thucydides influence future political thinkers?
His ideas on realpolitik influenced thinkers like Machiavelli and Hobbes.
