The Peloponnesian War
Introduction
The History of the Peloponnesian War is a detailed account chronicling the conflict between two rival states, Athens and Sparta. Tension between the clashing states began in 431 B.C., which led to an ancient war between Athens and Sparta, ending with the defeat of Athens 27 years later. This was a war between the greatest land power (the Spartans) and the great naval power of the Athenians. Writing in real-time, Thucydides applied logic and reason when explaining the causes and reasons for the war, introducing at the same time the critical method of thinking.
A wealthy Athenian active in Greek political life, Thucydides was an intellectual and military leader who served as a general in the Peloponnesian War; Surprisingly, he …show more content…
In the early onset of the war and through his descriptions, Athens is portrayed as a beautiful and prosperous city which Thucydides profoundly expresses his love for. This becomes an integral theme of his book, and an important one. Even his exile from Athens following the defeat at Amphipolis did not singe his Athenian roots. This raises an important question: Can Thucydides’ work be considered unbiased? The issue of subjectivity and objectivity for researchers is a heavily debated topic. In her article “The Enigma of Subjectivity”, Professor Donna Ladkin of Cranfield University explores this topic, investigating “the role objectivity plays in establishing valid claims to truth”. She concludes her analysis saying that “subjectivity and objectivity are necessarily intertwined in the creation of valid truths”. It is Thucydides’ first-hand experience in the Peloponnesian War that enables this truth to come out, while at the same time being supported by a varying degree of accounts. While in exile, for some 20 years, Thucydides encountered both Athenians and Spartans with whom he recollected and shared accounts of the Peloponnesian War. This provided for unique perspectives in his work, enabling that third-party observer …show more content…
While it may be considered bias on some descriptions, I believe that Thucydides achieved his goal in becoming the text as opposed to the scribe. He was able to convey a narrative of battle, challenge, defeat and moral, all while remaining true to the lived events of the Peloponnesian War through vivid and appealing characters.
While the story of Athens is not necessarily one to be cheered, it is one to be remembered and critically dissected. Thucydides, a native of Athens who greatly appreciated all that it encompassed, looked on the city as an evolving monster. He watched as a once affluent and thriving state became suffocated with greed and power, until it eventually destroyed the Greek world. An important lesson in Thucydides’ The History of the Peloponnesian War is that whatever starts a war can be very different from what causes it, and by providing enough perspective learning the different between the two is
The History of the Peloponnesian War is a detailed account chronicling the conflict between two rival states, Athens and Sparta. Tension between the clashing states began in 431 B.C., which led to an ancient war between Athens and Sparta, ending with the defeat of Athens 27 years later. This was a war between the greatest land power (the Spartans) and the great naval power of the Athenians. Writing in real-time, Thucydides applied logic and reason when explaining the causes and reasons for the war, introducing at the same time the critical method of thinking.
A wealthy Athenian active in Greek political life, Thucydides was an intellectual and military leader who served as a general in the Peloponnesian War; Surprisingly, he …show more content…
In the early onset of the war and through his descriptions, Athens is portrayed as a beautiful and prosperous city which Thucydides profoundly expresses his love for. This becomes an integral theme of his book, and an important one. Even his exile from Athens following the defeat at Amphipolis did not singe his Athenian roots. This raises an important question: Can Thucydides’ work be considered unbiased? The issue of subjectivity and objectivity for researchers is a heavily debated topic. In her article “The Enigma of Subjectivity”, Professor Donna Ladkin of Cranfield University explores this topic, investigating “the role objectivity plays in establishing valid claims to truth”. She concludes her analysis saying that “subjectivity and objectivity are necessarily intertwined in the creation of valid truths”. It is Thucydides’ first-hand experience in the Peloponnesian War that enables this truth to come out, while at the same time being supported by a varying degree of accounts. While in exile, for some 20 years, Thucydides encountered both Athenians and Spartans with whom he recollected and shared accounts of the Peloponnesian War. This provided for unique perspectives in his work, enabling that third-party observer …show more content…
While it may be considered bias on some descriptions, I believe that Thucydides achieved his goal in becoming the text as opposed to the scribe. He was able to convey a narrative of battle, challenge, defeat and moral, all while remaining true to the lived events of the Peloponnesian War through vivid and appealing characters.
While the story of Athens is not necessarily one to be cheered, it is one to be remembered and critically dissected. Thucydides, a native of Athens who greatly appreciated all that it encompassed, looked on the city as an evolving monster. He watched as a once affluent and thriving state became suffocated with greed and power, until it eventually destroyed the Greek world. An important lesson in Thucydides’ The History of the Peloponnesian War is that whatever starts a war can be very different from what causes it, and by providing enough perspective learning the different between the two is