What did Thucydides study?
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.
When and where did Thucydides live?
He was born in the Athenian suburb of Halimos and was in Athens during the plague of c. 430 B.C., a year after the war began. In 424, he was given command of a fleet, but was then exiled for failing to reach the city of Amphipolis in time to prevent its capture by the Spartans.
Was Thucydides educated?
The grave of Thucydides was located near that of Cimon in a place named Koile, southwest of the Athenian Acropolis, where Plutarch saw it. About Thucydides’s education we know practically nothing. He is reported to have studied oratory under Antiphon and philosophy under Anaxagoras.
Why study Thucydides?
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.
Why is Thucydides the first historian?
Thucydides is generally regarded as one of the first true historians. Like his predecessor Herodotus, known as “the father of history”, Thucydides places a high value on eyewitness testimony and writes about events in which he probably took part.
Did Thucydides believe in God?
In the first place Hobbes leaves no doubt that in his view Thucydides did not believe in the Greek gods. Therefore from the point of view of the Athenians, Thucydides was certainly guilty of atheism. There are two different sorts of defenses that Hobbes mounts on Thucydides’ behalf.
What is Thucydides theory?
Definition. The term describes the theory that when a great power’s position as hegemon is threatened by an emerging power, there is a significant likelihood of war between the two powers.
Why is Thucydides called the father of scientific history?
Thucydides has been dubbed the father of “scientific history” because of his strict standards of evidence-gathering and analysis of cause and effect without reference to intervention by the gods, as outlined in his introduction to his work.
What is Thucydides Archaeology?
In the Archaeology Thucydides articulates indices by which to measure human civilization, internal problems such as stasis, which can bring down political structures and reverse human development, and recurrent patterns, which clusters of the indices form.
Did Thucydides believe in God?
In the first place Hobbes leaves no doubt that in his view Thucydides did not believe in the Greek gods. Therefore from the point of view of the Athenians, Thucydides was certainly guilty of atheism. There are two different sorts of defenses that Hobbes mounts on Thucydides’ behalf.
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.
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