Thucydides

Alcibiades , Pericles and the Athenian Ideal : An Analysis

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Introduction

One of the popular historical accounts that many historians and analysts still study today is the history of the Peloponnesian War as it was described by Thucydides . It was a long , drawn out war that involved some of the best armies and navies in this part of the European continent , as well as notable political entities coming from other parts of the world like Asia . The Peloponnesian War was important for the parties involved particularly

for Athens , which , at that time , was experiencing a very solid and stable way of life and on the way to becoming more and more developed . This particular war helped Athens get a better look at its political leaders , whose political philosophies would contribute to the outcome of the war and to the shaping of the Athenian future . In Thucydides history of the Peloponnesian War , two prominent individuals stood out from the rest as political leaders and influential men in Athens two leaders who are as significant during the war-time Athens as they were significant in Athens before and after the war . One is Pericles , and the other one is Alcibiades . Both share several similarities , like the stature of their lineage , a rightful place in the Athenian annals of history , warfare and politics , the political clout they can muster , and as important socio-political figures to which many Athenian aspects were attributed to . But what is noticeable is how the two leaders who...