Why Is Thucydides Still Relevant Today

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Thucydides, Greek historian as well as a participant, writes of The Peloponnesian War and offers insight into the Athenians thoughts on why they feel it appropriate to ignore what others consider to be just or right. The Athenians believe that mere strength and power automatically grants them the authority to do as they wish and qualifies those actions as justice; and likewise those who are weaker are left no alternative than to endure what is dealt them (Newton). It is imperative to the Athenians that their subjects never think them weak, so when the Melians offered to maintain a neutral position, in order to avoid becoming involved in the ongoing dispute between the Athenian empire and the Spartan led Peloponnesian League; the Athenian’s response was an absolute no. Justice, in this case, was seen as something that was called for by the Melians, the weaker of two parties, only as a vehicle for self-preservation, and nothing more.…show more content…
His account of this war was based on his personal experiences and the statements of eyewitnesses, and continues to be recognized as an important work of political theory. There are some who downplay its importance, citing that it does not take into account the ability of man to change and become better human beings. However, history has borne out that human nature is not able to be completely reshaped and therefore, Thucydides reasoning that those with all of the power will continue to promote self-interest and ignore justice can be
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