The History of the Peloponnesian War

Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War is the central ancient source for the war between Athens and Sparta from 431 to 411 BCE. It covers the Archidamian War, Periclean Athens, the plague, stasis at Corcyra, the Mytilenean debate, Pylos and Sphacteria, Brasidas in the north, Amphipolis, the Sicilian Expedition and the beginning of the Ionian or Decelean phase. The description of speeches, campaigns, cities and strategic choices makes it one of the best sources for reconstructing what happened in a specific time and place during the conflict.