An accessible and contemporary approach to the most iconic speeches from Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War, which leads the reader to the essence of the author’s extensive knowledge on matters of diplomacy, foreign policy, and war.

Why do nations go to war? For what values are citizens willing to die? What justifies the invasion of a foreign country? And does the fact that it is justified make it right? For nearly 2,500 years, students, thinkers, and political and military leaders have been reading the eloquent and insightful speeches from Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War, seeking inspiration from his insight into matters of military conflict, diplomacy, and the reactions of people and countries in times of crisis.

In the book Thucydides: On War, his most influential and interesting speeches are presented in a new interpretive approach by Johanna Hanink, accompanied by an illuminating introduction, detailed notes, as well as the original text alongside the translation.

The result is an exceptionally accessible introduction to Thucydides’ long and demanding work History of the Peloponnesian War, which introduces the reader to the work of this timeless thinker.