Famed Athenian historian and general. That’s Thucydides. His bust stands as a reminder of his lasting impact.
The Thucydides Bust commemorates a man who lived from about 460 to 400 BC. Thucydides was not just any Athenian. He was a historian and a general. His most famous work is “History of the Peloponnesian War”. It recounts the war between Sparta and Athens in the fifth century BC. The history ends in the year 411 BC.
Thucydides is often called the father of “scientific history”. He used strict standards. He wanted impartiality and evidence gathering. Thucydides analyzed cause and effect. He did not refer to gods. He outlined this approach in his introduction. This makes his historical analysis unique.
Despite his fame modern historians know little about Thucydides’ life. The most reliable details come from his own writings. He mentions his nationality, father, and birthplace in his book. Thucydides fought in the Peloponnesian War. He contracted the plague. He was exiled by the democracy. He may have helped quell the Samian Revolt.
Thucydides identified himself as an Athenian. His father was Olorus. He came from the deme of Halimous. One story says that young Thucydides heard Herodotus lecture. This happened in the agora of Athens. Thucydides was about 10 to 12 years old. He wept with joy and chose history as his calling. Herodotus supposedly told Olorus his son yearns for knowledge. This story is likely a later Greek or Roman invention.
Thucydides owned gold mines in Thrace. This was near the island of Thasos. His influence in Thrace led to his role as a general in 424 BC. The Spartans attacked Amphipolis. Thucydides was sent to help. But Brasidas captured the city before he arrived.
Athens blamed Thucydides for losing Amphipolis. He was exiled for twenty years. This exile gave him a unique perspective. He traveled among the Peloponnesian allies. He viewed the war from both sides.
Thucydides began writing his history at the start of the war. He believed it would be a great and important war. His history breaks off in 411 BC. This is thought to be because he died while writing.
Thucydides admired Pericles. He approved of Pericles’ power over the people. He disliked the demagogues who followed. Thucydides did not like the commoners. He also did not like the radical democracy. He thought democracy was acceptable with a good leader.
Thucydides saw the Peloponnesian War as very important. He declared his intention to write an account for all time. After his death his history was divided into eight books. It became known as “History of the Peloponnesian War”.
Thucydides is considered one of the first true historians. He valued eyewitness accounts. He consulted documents and interviewed participants. Unlike Herodotus Thucydides did not include divine intervention.
Thucydides’ bust serves as a powerful reminder. He valued truthful unbiased reporting. His influence extends to today. Political scientists and military strategists study his work. They learn from his insights into conflict and human nature. Take a moment to appreciate this great historian.