‘It was no disgrace for an Athenian eet to retreat when it suited them: put it as they would, it would be more disgraceful to be beaten, and to expose the city not only to disgrace, but to the most serious danger.’

A cataclysmic struggle between Athens and Sparta, the Peloponnesian War changed the ancient Greek world—Athens, the strongest city-state prior to the war, stood subjugated, while Sparta emerged as the leading power. Shattering religious and cultural taboos, devastating vast swathes of countryside, and destroying whole cities, the War marked the dramatic end to Greece’s golden age.

The main historical source for the War is this timeless classic, where ucydides, with meticulous detail and uninching honesty, captures the intense political intrigue, strategic manoeuvres, and harrowing battles from what he witnessed as a participant and rst-hand accounts. Essential for historians, scholars, and anyone captivated by the drama of ancient civilizations, this work stands as a testament to the enduring power of historical narrative. Due to its insights into complex warfare, asymmetrical strategies, and leadership dynamics, it is studied by all modern militaries and forms the basis of the now famous ‘ucydides Trap’ coined by political scientist Graham Allison.