Continuation of the Sicilian expedition. The destruction of the army and fleet of the Athenians.

Thucydides was born between 460 and 455 BC in the deme of Alimounta to a wealthy family. His youth coincided with the period of the greatness of Athens. The most reliable information about his life is provided by himself in his work.

He was a general of the Athenians in Amphipolis, after the fall of which to the Lacedaemonians he was exiled for twenty years (424-404 BC). During this time, he lived on the estates he had in Thrace, but also traveled to gather or verify information for his writing.

He returned briefly to Athens after the destruction of 404, and died shortly after that year, unknown where, likely from a violent death. His work, the account of the war between Athens and Sparta, is closely connected to the intellectual and political climate of the time.

Absolutely dedicated to the principle of verified truth, his writing is objective and reliable. The narrative becomes particularly vivid with the oratory speeches, which occupy about one fifth of his work, written in a straightforward and quite condensed style.

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