INTRODUCTION
“ […] the first page of Thucydides is, in my opinion, the commencement of real history. All preceding narrations are so intermixed with fable, that philosophers ought to abandon them, to the embellishments of poets and orators.” .Already this quotation by David Hume – one of the most distinguished philosophers of empiricism – gives us a feeling of the great value of Thucydides works. Thucydides documented the History of the Peloponnesian War in an unprecedented objectivity. On the basis of these works he is still acclaimed as the founder of political historiography. Works which were storied as a work of a lifetime. The fact that Thucydides’ ‘History of the Peloponnesian War’ stands still so powerful in historiography let it seems consequential that long-range of later historians engaged with his works. On my work for this essay I considered works of these interrogative historians and took advantage of their qualified commentaries on Thucydides. With whose approaches I will assess Thucydides as a human and historian. I will pick up questions other commentarial historians and make use of those to describe the aftermath and importance of Thucydides works as well as to place it within its context of the development of historical writing.
MAIN PART - HIS WAY OF BEING
The decision that Thucydides wrote his works is just as notable than the power to adhere a lifelong to this difficult project in spite of all external disasters. This fact certainly establishes the question on: who was this man, Thucydides? And what was his intention to write ‘The History of the Peloponnesian War’? For David Cartwright, who started his Introduction on Thucydides’ Life with the words “Thucydides, the Athenian historian, records that he lived through the whole of the Peloponnesian War and was of an age to understand what was happening.” , one important question emphasized. And this was about Thucydides age while he started with his works. There are a lot of attempts ...
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- INTRODUCTION
- HIS WAY OF BEING
- HIS WAY OF WRITING
- THUCYDIDES WORKS
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay examines the life and work of Thucydides, focusing on his approach to history and the lasting influence of his “History of the Peloponnesian War.” The essay aims to understand the motivations behind Thucydides' project and evaluate his role as a pioneer of political historiography.
- Thucydides' personal background and its impact on his historical work
- Thucydides' unique approach to writing history, including his emphasis on objectivity and his rejection of traditional storytelling elements
- The historical context of Thucydides' work and his contribution to the development of historical writing
- Thucydides' specific focus on the Peloponnesian War and his analysis of its disruptive effects on Greece
- The enduring significance of Thucydides' “History of the Peloponnesian War” as a foundational text in political historiography
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- INTRODUCTION: This introduction presents the essay's subject – Thucydides' “History of the Peloponnesian War” – and highlights its significance in the development of historical writing. The author draws attention to the enduring value of Thucydides' work and introduces the key themes of the essay, such as Thucydides' personal background, his approach to historical writing, and the context of his work.
- HIS WAY OF BEING: This chapter delves into the life and personality of Thucydides, exploring the factors that influenced his decision to write the “History of the Peloponnesian War.” The author examines Thucydides' youth, his involvement in the war, and his access to resources that enabled him to pursue his lifelong project despite exile.
- HIS WAY OF WRITING: This chapter focuses on Thucydides' approach to historical writing. The author discusses Thucydides' ambition to create a lasting legacy, his rejection of conventional storytelling, and his emphasis on factual accuracy. He also contrasts Thucydides' writing style with that of his contemporaries, highlighting his unique contributions to historical methodology.
- THUCYDIDES WORKS: This chapter examines the structure and content of Thucydides' “History of the Peloponnesian War.” The author discusses the book's chronological organization and its division into eight books. He also highlights Thucydides' focus on the Peloponnesian War's disruptive impact on Greece, both materially and psychologically.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Key terms and concepts explored in this essay include Thucydides, "History of the Peloponnesian War," political historiography, objectivity, storytelling, factual accuracy, Peloponnesian War, ancient Greece, historical context, methodology, enduring legacy, historical writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Thucydides considered the founder of political historiography?
Thucydides documented history with unprecedented objectivity and factual accuracy, moving away from the fables and myths of earlier narrations to focus on political reality.
What is the focus of his major work?
His work, "The History of the Peloponnesian War," focuses on the long conflict between Athens and Sparta and its disruptive impact on the Greek world.
How did Thucydides' personal life influence his writing?
As an Athenian general who experienced the war firsthand and was later exiled, he had the unique perspective and the necessary time to dedicate his life to this project.
What makes his methodology unique for his time?
Unlike his contemporaries, he rejected conventional storytelling and embellishments, prioritizing primary evidence and a chronological, objective analysis of events.
What is the structure of the "History of the Peloponnesian War"?
The work is organized chronologically and is typically divided into eight books, covering the material and psychological effects of the war on Greece.
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- Daniel Traina (Autor:in), 2008, The Historian Thucydides - The History of the Peloponnesian War (c. 400 BC), München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/160674
