the History of Peloponnesian War

As an insightful amateur historian, he traces the war's roots in prior hostilities between Greece and Persia and examines the relative merits of the Athenian League and the Spartan alliance. Scrupulously impartial and accurate, he presents detailed, knowledgeable accounts of the battles, in addition to dialogues reflecting the political atmosphere. This ancient tale of the rise and fall of a democratic empire bears numerous parallels with modern times. As the author remarked of his work, "I shall be satisfied if it be thought useful by those who wish to know the exact character of events now past which, human nature being what it is, will recur in similar or analogous forms."