Summary of The History of the Peloponnesian War

The History of the Peloponnesian War is a classic work by historian Thucydides which chronicles the events leading up to and during the 27 year long war between the Athenian and Spartan powers. The work details the political and military strategies used by both sides of the conflict, as well as the moral and cultural aspects of life during the struggle. Thucydides examines complex topics such as the causes of a war, its outcome, affected populations, and its lasting effects on the Mediterranean region. The book is hailed as an archetypal essaying the causes and nature of an international armed conflict, fostering debate amongst politicians, historians, and academics for centuries.