“. . . judging happiness to be the fruit of freedom and freedom of
valor, never decline the dangers of war.”
—Thucydides, The Peloponnesian War, 2.43.4
Copyright © 2010 by Robert B. Strassler
Bust of Thucydides
Ostrakon inscribed with the
names Kimon and Miltiades
names Kimon and Miltiades
Bust of Pericles
The Landmark Thucydides:
A Comprehensive Guide to the Peloponnesian War
Edited by Robert B. Strassler
Thucydides called his account of two decades of war between Athens
and Sparta “a possession for all time,” and indeed it is the first and still
the most famous work in the Western historical tradition. Considered
essential reading for generals, statesmen, and liberally educated
citizens for more than 2,000 years. The Peloponnesian War is a mine
of military, moral, political, and philosophical wisdom.
and Sparta “a possession for all time,” and indeed it is the first and still
the most famous work in the Western historical tradition. Considered
essential reading for generals, statesmen, and liberally educated
citizens for more than 2,000 years. The Peloponnesian War is a mine
of military, moral, political, and philosophical wisdom.
However, this classic book has long presented obstacles to the
uninitiated reader. Written centuries before the rise of modern
historiography, Thucydides’ narrative is not continuous or linear. His
authoritative chronicle of what he considered the greatest war of all
time is rigorous and meticulous, yet omits the many aids to
comprehension modern readers take for granted—such as brief
biographies of the story’s main characters, maps and other visual
enhancements, and background on the military, cultural, and political
traditions of ancient Greece.
uninitiated reader. Written centuries before the rise of modern
historiography, Thucydides’ narrative is not continuous or linear. His
authoritative chronicle of what he considered the greatest war of all
time is rigorous and meticulous, yet omits the many aids to
comprehension modern readers take for granted—such as brief
biographies of the story’s main characters, maps and other visual
enhancements, and background on the military, cultural, and political
traditions of ancient Greece.
Robert Strassler’s new edition amends these omissions, and not only
provides a new coherence to the narrative overall but effectively
reconstructs the lost cultural context that Thucydides shared with his
original audience. Based on the venerable Richard Crawley
translations, updated and revised for modern readers, The Landmark
Thucydides includes a vast array of superbly designed and presented
maps, brief informative appendices by outstanding classical scholars
on subjects of special relevance to the text, explanatory marginal notes
on each page, an index of unprecedented subtlety and depth, and
numerous other useful features. Readers will find that with this edition
they can dip into the text at any point and be immediately oriented
with regard to the geography, season, date, and stage of the conflict.
provides a new coherence to the narrative overall but effectively
reconstructs the lost cultural context that Thucydides shared with his
original audience. Based on the venerable Richard Crawley
translations, updated and revised for modern readers, The Landmark
Thucydides includes a vast array of superbly designed and presented
maps, brief informative appendices by outstanding classical scholars
on subjects of special relevance to the text, explanatory marginal notes
on each page, an index of unprecedented subtlety and depth, and
numerous other useful features. Readers will find that with this edition
they can dip into the text at any point and be immediately oriented
with regard to the geography, season, date, and stage of the conflict.
In any list of the great books of Western civilization, The
Peloponnesian War stands near the top. This handsome, elegant, and
authoritative new edition will ensure that its greatness is appreciated
by future generations.
Peloponnesian War stands near the top. This handsome, elegant, and
authoritative new edition will ensure that its greatness is appreciated
by future generations.
7 3/8 x 9 1/4, Hardcover, Paperback
The Free Press/Simon & Schuster
“Without question, this is the
finest edition of Thucydides’
history ever produced. It is a
treasure.”
—The Washington Times
In Print
Forthcoming