Chapter 2 ‘The Most Politic Historiographer’: Thucydides and Political Thought

In: Brill's Companion to the Legacy of Greek Political Thought
Author:
Neville Morley
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Type:
Chapter
Pages:
45–73
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004679344_004

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Abstract

Thucydides is arguably the most-cited ancient thinker today in discussions of contemporary political issues, and has been regarded as an authority on such matters since the Renaissance. However, there is little consensus about what transhistorical insights he actually offers his readers. This chapter considers different traditions of reading his work: as a source of information about ancient politics; as a source of political wisdom and advice; and as a pioneering work of political theory, offering general laws and principles of political structures and behaviour. While criticising interpretations that ignore or explain away the strangeness of Thucydides’ work, it suggests ways in which it can still be read productively as a contribution to thinking about politics.

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Series:  Brill's Companions to Philosophy: Ancient Philosophy, Volume: 8 and  Brill's Companions to Philosophy, Volume: 8
Cover Brill's Companion to the Legacy of Greek Political Thought
E-Book ISBN:
9789004679344
Publisher:
Brill
Print Publication Date:
16 Sep 2024
Front Matter
Introduction
Part 1 The Reproduction of Greek Political Thought
Part 2 Greek Thought in New Environments
Part 3 Variation and Adaptation
Part 4 Greek Thought and the Potential for Dissent
Back Matter

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