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Thucydides
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The Peloponnesian War (Oxford World's Classics) Revised ed. Edition, Kindle Edition

by Martin Hammond (Author, Translator), P. J. Rhodes (Author, Contributor) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 297 ratings
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'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.
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.
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  1. Edition
    Revised ed.
  2. Publisher
    OUP Oxford
  3. Publication date
    June 11, 2009
  4. Language
    English
  5. File size
    3852 KB
  6. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"[Hammond's] new translation of Thucydides is a triumph. Fluent yet sinewy, it responds brilliantly to the historian's challenging prose. It is both accurate and lucid. Indeed, its only possible flaw is that it can at times be rather more comprehensible than Thucydides himself! "-Journal of Classical Teaching

"A substantial work, but with wonderful readabilityand lightness of touch. The book is excellent value for money and the obvious choice for any reader of Thucydides."-The Anglo-Hellenic Review

"The most accurate and readable [translation] we now have." -ARION

About the Author

Martin Hammond has published translations of the Iliad, the Odyssey, and the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius.
P. J. Rhodes is the author of numerous books and articles, including A History of the Classical Greek World, 478-323 BC.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B006OISTLY
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ OUP Oxford; Revised ed. edition (June 11, 2009)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 11, 2009
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3852 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 784 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 297 ratings

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Thucydides

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
297 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the translation excellent and wonderful. They also say the book is fascinating, informative, and a great resource. Readers describe it as an excellent edition that elucidates a timeless classic.

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Translation qualityInformation qualityEdification
9 customers mention "Translation quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the translation excellent and wonderful. They say it reads in straightforward prose.

"...The translation is good and reads in straight forward prose...." Read more

"...any of the necessary information included by Thucydides, this translation is readable...." Read more

"The history is very fine, and this translation is clear. The forward is a little tedious however, even if the reviewer is credentialed...." Read more

"old book new relevance...great read" Read more

6 customers mention "Information quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the information in the book to be genuinely informative. They say it's fascinating, with excellent commentary by P. J. Rhodes. Readers also mention the introduction is an invaluable asset.

"...An interesting mix of intellect, perception, and militaristic ability." Read more

"Great resource" Read more

"...while some notes are genuinely informative about telling what Thucydides got right and wrong, and how we know what he didnt know, many of the..." Read more

"...The introduction is an invaluable asset." Read more

3 customers mention "Edification"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a nice edition that elucidates a timeless classic. They say it's a must-read for literate citizens.

"Excellent edition that elucidates this timeless classic. A must read for literate citizens." Read more

"Classic work, great translation...." Read more

"Nice edition of a classic. Reading for the second time...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Michal
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic work, great translation.
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2015
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Thucydides work is a classic that has withstood the test of time of about 2500 years. When reading this you feel like you are reading the first history book(it's not Herodotus was first). This chronicles the history of the biggest war that was waged until that time. There is so much that happens. Treachery, plotting, deceit, tactics, strategy, politics, this history has more plot than most works of fiction. Interspersed through the history are some great orations.

The translation is good and reads in straight forward prose. There is no wasted effort on the translators part with affectations or flowery language making this work quite accessible. The introduction is quite long, and uninteresting. Thucydides work speaks for itself and much of the authors intro should be condensed. The end notes would have been good and I wish I had read some of the reviews here, and read them as a reading companion. It would have made this work a little easier to digest.
13 people found this helpful
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Richard
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Translation/Story
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2022
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Without removing any of the necessary information included by Thucydides, this translation is readable. The story, of course, is filled with information that Thucydides considered "objective" history. It is often forgotten that this man actually fought in the Peloponnesian War. An interesting mix of intellect, perception, and militaristic ability.
4 people found this helpful
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Jan Galkowski
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice edition of a classic. Reading for the second time.
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2017
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The history is very fine, and this translation is clear. The forward is a little tedious however, even if the reviewer is credentialed.

I highly recommend the book to people who might want to see how democracies can go aground, and how there is always a tendency for people to listen to and to elect people who tell them what they want to hear rather than what they should know. When an electorate does that, things do not turn out well.
15 people found this helpful
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Kate
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2016
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Great resource
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Steve Learned
5.0 out of 5 stars A classic that never grows old
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2023
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A classic
One person found this helpful
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Floating World
5.0 out of 5 stars Hard truths
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2020
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“If you were like us you would do as we do,” (paraphrase)-Athenian leader before victory over the Melians.
“The talk of rights comes only between equals.” (Paraphrase)—Melian Dialogue (q.v.)
4 people found this helpful
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C Darrow
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent translation
Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2010
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We are very lucky to have a wealth of good translations of Thucydides. This is one of the best.

Hammond has also done a great job with his (the best) prose translation of the Iliad.
8 people found this helpful
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Julio A. Nunez
5.0 out of 5 stars A most read
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2019
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A must reading for anyone who wants to understand real politics long from the ancients that apply for ever and a view assume later by thinkers like Nietzsche.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Cliente Amazon
3.0 out of 5 stars Sujeira
Reviewed in Brazil on January 18, 2022
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A lateral do livro veio suja, lamentável.
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Mi
5.0 out of 5 stars Fast delivery
Reviewed in Germany on January 7, 2021
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One of my favourite books.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A much loved book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 10, 2020
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Had to dispose of my earlier Penguin copy some years ago. I am very happy to reaqcuaint myself with this book.
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Devashish Katoriya
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read!
Reviewed in India on September 30, 2020
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This book tells the history of wars between Athens and Sparta from general and historian Thucydides. (460BC to 400BC) Some of the great battles have been fought between them. I purchased this book after reading The Histories by Herodotus. Historians and curious people will love this book. Language translation is good and easy to follow.
The book also contains maps of that time.
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Devashish Katoriya
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read!
Reviewed in India on September 30, 2020
This book tells the history of wars between Athens and Sparta from general and historian Thucydides. (460BC to 400BC) Some of the great battles have been fought between them. I purchased this book after reading The Histories by Herodotus. Historians and curious people will love this book. Language translation is good and easy to follow.
The book also contains maps of that time.
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MICHAEL HAMILTON
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on June 6, 2018
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looks ok
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