Category Archives for Commentary
When did Thucydides write his History?
We didn’t get to one of Dan Gabree’s questions on the last call. I wouldn’t mind addressing it on our next call next month. Here is the essence of Dan’s inquiry: But the one other thing that came up for me was a question of when T wrote this histo… Continue reading
Thucydides Book 7 preliminary comments
These ARE indeed a fantastic way to prepare for tonights discussion. I, too, side with Paul’s observations of Nicias, although this chapter was written in such a way as to make it impossible not to feel the pain that the Athenians were going throu… Continue reading
Headlines from the Peloponnesian War – Book 3
Dear fellow Thucydides readers,Here are my notes in outline form for Book 3. Feel free to use them to organize your thoughts as you move through your reading. Thucydides does not jump around too much in this book from theater to theater. My outlin… Continue reading
Strategy? Victory?
Thucydidites,From the very beginning of this conflict I listed the strengths of each Sparta and Athens. I was trying to figure out what overarching strategy could be deployed to each side’s advantage, and I was wondering how each side would try to… Continue reading
Pericles Speech
I had a really great time on the call today folks. I’m really enjoying everyone’s perspectives and insights.I mentioned that I broke Pericles’ speech into its basic elements and I know somebody else mentioned they did the same thing so I thought I… Continue reading
Some random thoughts.
It is sometimes interesting to go outside after these calls and look to the sky (“The same sky they saw.” as Andre pointed out to us a while back) and try to imagine what Pericles actually did think about before he gave that 2nd speech in Book II…. Continue reading
Thucydides Book 2 Outline
Dear fellow readers,I want to wish you a warm holiday season in this extremely cold weather (yes, it is even cold here in Texas!). I am looking forward to our next call on Monday Jan 5th. Till then enjoy the reading. I have included an outline of … Continue reading
Thucydides in the Movies?
Hello everyone,It was fun to rent a movie during my Herodotus reading when someone mentioned that his book was part of the movie, “The English Patient.” I was wondering if you know of any movies that contain Thucydides?I believe I ran across one b… Continue reading
Book I
Dear all,I have enjoyed reading all of the responses to reading Thucydides. It is a very inspirational book for Phil and me. I hope that your reading is continuing to be as enjoyable as mine is. I have been thinking much on how Thucydides wraps up… Continue reading
Paul Cartledge comments on when Thucydides wrote his History
The standard current view is that Thucydides did what he says he did – started writing up, not just taking notes, from the late 430s on, i.e. probably before war actually broke out in spring 431. But it was only after his exile in 424 that he coul… Continue reading →
27. May 2009 by Arrian
Categories: Commentary, Thucydides | Tags: Paul Cartledge, Thucydides | 1 comment