The Peloponnesian War is one of the greatest works ever written in Western history. Thucydides’ book gives a detailed account of the prodigious war between Sparta and Athens between 431 BCE and 404 BCE. The book has received praise from all over the world particularly for its objectivity is recounting specific details of history. Thucydides’ spends a great deal of time expounding the causes of the war, the military tactics, and betrayals that led to the Athenian’s defeat.
The book is divided into eight sections each giving a thorough account of the war. The war begins when the Spartans decide to lay siege to Athens. First, they attack the regions surrounding Athens and use the as campsites for their army. In response, the Athenians send in their naval troops on Spartan territory looting and killing thousands of Spartans. Determined to conquer the nation, Sparta continues attacking regions surrounding Athens.
Throughout the book, the author explores the military tactics used by both nations and the betrayal of certain Athenian soldiers particularly General Alcibiades. The famous shift in loyalties provides a weak point in the Athenian army which Spartans utilize to the advantage.
Before Athens could change the tide, a disease hits the region leaving most of the Athenians soldiers and able men dead or unable to fight. The Spartans take advantage of this misfortune and attack Athens defeating the great nation.
Thucydides’ recount of the war is by far the best Greek writings that ever existed. The text has been translated into different languages and republished many times.
