Thucydides and the Modern World

Explores the far-reaching impact of the ancient Greek historian Thucydides on modern historiography, political theory and international relations.

Thucydides has been an important influence on modern historiography, political theory, international relations and strategic studies, but this has never been properly studied. This book will be of interest to anyone, from undergraduates to scholars, interested in the development of their discipline and in the modern impact of classical literature.The ancient Greek historian Thucydides has had an enormous impact on modern historiography, political theory, international relations and strategic studies, but this influence has never been properly studied. This book brings together leading scholars from a range of disciplines to explore the different facets of Thucydides' modern reception and influence, from the birth of political theory in Renaissance Europe to the rise of scientific history in nineteenth-century Germany and the triumph of 'realism' in twentieth-century international relations theory. Its chapters consider the different national and disciplinary traditions of reading and citing Thucydides, but also highlight common themes and questions; in particular, the variety of images of the historian produced by his modern readers: the scientific historian or the artful rhetorician, the brilliant analyst of society and politics or the great narrator of political and military events, the man of experience and affairs or the man of contemplation and reflection.