'The greatest historian that ever lived'

Such was Macaulay's verdict on Thucydides (c. 460-400 BC) and his history of the Peloponnesian War, the momentous struggle between Athens and Sparta as rival powers and political systems that lasted for twenty-seven years from 431 to 404 BC, involved virtually the whole of the Greek world, and ended in the fall of Athens.  Thucydides himself was a participant in the war; to his history he brings an awesome intellect, brilliant narrative, and penetrating analysis of the nature of power, as it affects both states and individuals.

Of his own work Thucydides wrote: 'I shall be content if [my history] is judged useful by those who will want to have a clear understanding of what happened - and, such is the human condition, will happen again ... It was composed as a permanent legacy, not a showpiece for a single hearing.'  So it has proved.  Of the prose writers of Greece and Rome Thucydides has had more lasting influence on western thought than all but Plato and Aristotle.  This new edition combines a masterly translation with comprehensive supporting material.

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Features

• A major new translation of the greatest ancient historian, Thucydides' brilliant account of the disastrous war waged by Athens against Sparta, with full supporting material making this the most comprehensive single-volume edition in print.
• Translation by gifted translator Martin Hammond captures the brilliance and complexity of Thucydides' prose.
• Introduction and notes by an acknowledged authority on ancient Greek history and politics, P. J. Rhodes.
• Includes summaries of individual Books, textual notes, appendix on weights, measures and distances, money, calendars, up-to-date bibliography.
• Comprehensive analytical index.
• Ten maps.

ABOUT THE SERIES

For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Thucydides

Translated by Martin Hammond, retired Headmaster of Tonbridge School, and Introduction and Notes by P. J. Rhodes, Honorary Professor and Emeritus Professor of Ancient History, University of Durham.

Martin Hammond taught Classics at St Paul's School and Harrow School before being appointed Head of Classics at Eton in 1974, and subsequently Master in College.  He was Headmaster of the City of London School from 1984-90, and Tonbridge School from 1990-2005.  He has published translations of the Iliad (Penguin, 1987), the Odyssey (Duckworth, 2000), and the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius (Penguin, 2006).

P. J. Rhodes retired as Professor of Ancient History at Durham University in 2005. He is the author of numerous books and articles, including Athenian Democracy (OUP, 2004), A History of the Classical Greek World, 478-323 BC (Blackwell, 2006), and editions of Thucydides, II, III, and IV.1-V.24 (Aris & Phillips).

"The most accurate and readable translation we now have... the only choice for a serious reading of Thucydides." -- Steven J. Willet, Arion

"This book deserves to be the standard translation of Thucydides that everyone will use and enjoy." -- Greece and Rome

"The book is excellent value for money and the obvious choice for any reader of Thucydides." -- John Taylor, The Anglo-Hellenic Review

"H.'s new translation of Thucydides is a triumph. Fluent yet sinewy...It is both accurate and lucid." -- James Morwood, Journal of Classical Teaching

"Totally indispensable....it is stimulating as well as informative." -- James Morwood, Journal of Classical Teaching

"An excellent new translation, with superb notes and introduction. This will become the standard translation for this important author" -- Timothy Duff, Reading University