Tag Archives: Thucydides
By Ḏḥwty, Contributing Writer, Ancient Origins The ancient Greek city-state of Sparta had a social hierarchy that was different from many of its neighbors. The top of the social pyramid was occupied by the two kings, whose powers were checked by a ‘council of elders’. These elders were chosen from the next class, the Spartiates.
The Melian Dialogue – the Brutal Reality of Power
by Ed Whelan, Contributing Writer, Classical Wisdom Down the centuries people have referred to the works of ancient historians to understand contemporary events. Many have studied the work of Thucydides to understand present-day international relations and politics. In particular, The Melian Dialogue provides a perennial insight into politics, power and international relations. The dialogue takes
Thucydides as Tragic Poet
By Justin D. Lyons, Contributing Writer, Classical Wisdom Today we think of Thucydides as one of the first historians. Yet perhaps that word is a bit misleading, or at least doesn’t paint the full picture. In his Poetics, Aristotle distinguishes the historian from the philosopher and the poet. History is not philosophic because it deals
Feeling a Sense of Doom? Time to turn to the Ancients
by Sean Kelly, Managing Editor, Classical Wisdom It’s easy these days to feel overwhelmed by a sense of catastrophe. Whether it’s the on-going pandemic, worries about floods, wildfires and other natural disasters, or just the normal concerns of our daily lives… the world seems filled with doom. It is in these trying times that we
Do the Classics Matter?
“So… what do you write about?” “Ancient Greece and Rome” “Uh huh.. and um… why again?” “Ahh… well, do you have a moment?” Replace ‘write’ with ‘read/study/discuss/like’, and it’s a conversation I imagine many of us have had. With the Odyssey firmly tucked under our arms, it’s as if we are classical missionaries trying to
How do we know what’s TRUE?
It looked like we were on a popular game show… but then again, it was a surprise birthday pub quiz zoom party… so I guess we sort of were? After your editor won for all intents and purposes (my only real rival wrote one round of questions), the conversation, like all others happening the globe