How reliable is Thucydides history?

One of the greatest ancient historians, Thucydides (c. 460 B.C.–c. 400 B.C.) chronicled nearly 30 years of war and tension between Athens and Sparta. His “History of the Peloponnesian War” set a standard for scope, concision and accuracy that makes it a defining text of the historical genre.

What is unique about Thucydides historical writing?

Thucydides has been dubbed the father of “scientific history” by those who accept his claims to have applied strict standards of impartiality and evidence-gathering and analysis of cause and effect, without reference to intervention by the deities, as outlined in his introduction to his work.

In what ways did Thucydides improve historical writings?

Thucydides wrote only about events that occurred during his lifetime that he could verify through examination of written records and eyewitness accounts. He strived for complete objectivity, and in this way he pioneered the historical method used by historians today.

Why did Thucydides write his history?

In the first sentence of his History of the Peloponnesian War, Thucydides wrote that he began writing about the war because he believed “it would be a great war, and more worthy of relation than any other that had preceded it.” He went on to identify what he believed to be the “real cause” of the war.

How did Thucydides influence history?

With his History of the Peloponnesian War, Thucydides chronicled what was perhaps the most momentous event of the ancient Greek world. He explored the major personalities on each side of the conflict and examined the political origins of the clash between Sparta and an ascendant Athens.

What type of realist was Thucydides?

Overall, it has been shown that although Thucydides and Thomas Hobbes are classed as ‘realists’, there are significant differences in a lot of their views and assumptions about international relations. Thucydides, all in all, tends to be closer to political realism in his view points than Hobbes.

What was Thucydides impact on the world?

To historians, for example, he is a vital source for ancient Greek history, but has also been seen as a model for history-writing in general; to political theorists, however, he is a pioneering political theorist, and the originator of ‘realist’ approaches to understanding political life.

What did Thucydides think was the reason for war between Athens and Sparta?

According to Thucydides, the growth of Athens’s ‘power and the alarm which this inspired in Lacedaemon (Sparta) made war inevitable.” Thucydides believed that the Peloponnesian War was inevitable because when a rising power confronted another power, they would inevitably wage war against each other to further or …

Was Thucydides a classical realist?

Thucydides’ realism, neither immoral nor amoral, can rather be compared to that of Hans Morgenthau, Raymond Aron, and other twentieth-century classical realists, who, although sensible to the demands of national interest, would not deny that political actors on the international scene are subject to moral judgment.

Why was Thucydides a realist?

Stemming from their pessimistic view on human nature, the only way to achieve security in the international system, according to political realism, is by creating a Balance of Power among the most powerful states of the system. …

What did Thucydides say was the real cause of the Peloponnesian War?

What was the real cause of the Peloponnesian War according to Thucydides? (1.23) What can we learn from his analysis today? The real cause for war was the growth of Athens’s power and the fear it caused in Sparta. We can learn that fear is still a major component in war today.

Is Thucydides a reliable historical figure?

In Thucydides only work “Peloponnesian war” Rex Warner gives a very interesting view of Thucydides. He states that Thucydides is a man whom is humourless, pessimistic, sceptical, highly intelligent, cold reserved and devoted to accuracy. These are all brilliant qualities for a historian and would make him more reliable.

How reliable is Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War?

Thucydides was, made general ( Stratego) in 424 BC, because of this his book History of the Peloponnesian war has an advantage its reliability is better , this is because it is written by a man who saw and heard what was going on. This would improve his reliability and as Thucydides was writing throughout his life.

What is Rex Warner’s view of Thucydides?

In Thucydides only work “Peloponnesian war” Rex Warner gives a very interesting view of Thucydides. He states that Thucydides is a man whom is humourless, pessimistic, sceptical, highly intelligent, cold reserved and devoted to accuracy.

What did Thucydides do during 20 years of exile?

During 20 years of exile, he worked on his history—collecting information, writing and revising. Estimates for Thucydides’ date of birth (c.460) hinge on his probable age upon entering military service. Since his history makes no mention of events after 411, it is likely Thucydides died before Athens’ final surrender in 404.