Thucydides' book on the war between the Peloponnesians and the Athenians has generally been considered a historical chronicle. By contrast, Peter Ahrensdorf here makes the case that it is better understood as a work of philosophy, inasmuch as it seeks to understand the permanent truth about human nature. Thucydides, he argues, focuses on this particular war because of its theoretical significance. It presents a clash, not only between military powers, but between two theoretical outlooks – Periclean Athenians' progressive and humanistic understanding of the fundamental character and condition of human beings, and the Spartans' traditional and religious understanding. Ahrensdorf leads us through Thucydides' examination of the case for and against both Athens and Sparta and shows how Thucydides ultimately offers for our consideration an account of himself as an individual who – unlike outstanding characters such as such Alcibiades, the Athenian ambassadors at Sparta and Melos, Diodotus, and Pericles – ascends to a truly independent and genuinely philosophic understanding of the human condition.

‘This extraordinarily fine study of Thucydides easily ranks among the best book-length treatments of this classic text known to me. … One of this study’s outstanding features is the great power and even beauty with which it is written. … The author has a marvelous way of drawing the reader in, making fine use of the richness, even the excitement, characteristic of the primary text.’

Robert Bartlett - Behrakis Professor of Hellenic Political Studies, Boston College

‘This book is a finely detailed treatment of Thucydides’ work, rich with fresh insights. Ahrensdorf’s thorough and subtle treatment of major themes like faction and civil war, daring and piety deepens our understanding. He triangulates Thucydides’ own most philosophic thoughts by apt comparisons with Pericles, Diodotus, Alcibiades, and others.’

Stephen Forde - University of North Texas, Emeritus

‘The core of this provocative new volume by Peter Ahrensdorf brims with unexpected insights and reversals of conventional readings, all culminating in a Thucydides searching - like the philosophic Socrates - for the truth about human nature. Ahrensdorf’s book deserves attention by all concerned with human nature, piety, and ultimately justice.’

Arlene Saxonhouse - Caroline Robbins Collegiate Professor of Political Science, University of Michigan, Emerita