The Landmark Thucydides

Thucydides' "The Peloponnesian War" is a classic work of Western historical literature, but it has long presented obstacles to the uninitiated reader. Robert Strassler's new edition amends these omissions and provides a new coherence to the narrative, as well as reconstructs the lost cultural context that Thucydides shared with his original audience. It includes a vast array of maps, brief informative appendices, explanatory marginal notes, an index of unprecedented subtlety and depth, and numerous other useful features. This edition will ensure that its greatness is appreciated by future generations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 752 pages
Publication date: 08 June 2023
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Thucydides, renowned for his account of the two-decade war between Athens and Sparta, hailed it as "a possession for all time." Indeed, his work stands as the pioneering and most celebrated masterpiece in the Western historical tradition. For over two millennia, The Peloponnesian War has been considered indispensable reading for generals, statesmen, and intellectually curious citizens. Its rich tapestry of military, moral, political, and philosophical insights has transcended time. However, this revered classic has posed challenges for the uninitiated reader. Written centuries before the emergence of modern historiography, Thucydides' narrative lacks a continuous or linear structure. His authoritative chronicle of what he deemed the greatest war of all time is rigorous and meticulous, yet it omits the many aids to comprehension that modern readers take for granted—such as concise biographies of the story's principal characters, maps and other visual enhancements, and background on the military, cultural, and political traditions of ancient Greece.

To address these omissions, Robert Strassler has introduced a new edition of The Landmark Thucydides. This edition not only enhances the overall coherence of the narrative but also reconstructs the lost cultural context that Thucydides shared with his original audience. Drawing upon the venerable Richard Crawley translation, updated and revised for contemporary readers, The Landmark Thucydides boasts an array of meticulously designed and presented maps, informative appendices by renowned classical scholars on subjects of particular relevance to the text, explanatory marginal notes on each page, an index of unparalleled subtlety and depth, and numerous other valuable features. With this edition, readers can dip into the text at any point and immediately gain a clear orientation regarding the geography, season, date, and stage of the conflict.

In any compilation of the Great, Thucydides' profound contribution to history stands as a testament to his enduring legacy. His meticulous account of the Peloponnesian War, coupled with Strassler's meticulous editing, ensures that this classic work remains accessible and relevant to generations of scholars, policymakers, and enthusiasts alike.

Weight: 1266g
Dimension: 241 x 197 x 41 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781416590873