Thucydides and Internal War

This 2001 book explains in detail Thucydides' abstract model of internal war.

Jonathan J. Price (Author)

9780521780186, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 19 July 2001

424 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.7 cm, 0.79 kg

'… valuable insights on virtually every aspect of Thucydides' work.' Bryn Mawr Classical Review

In this 2001 book Jonathan Price attempts to demonstrate that Thucydides consciously viewed and presented the Peloponnesian War in terms of a condition of civil strife - stasis, in Greek. Thucydides defines stasis as a set of symptoms indicating an internal disturbance in both individuals and states. This diagnostic method, in contrast to all other approaches in antiquity, allows an observer to identify stasis even when the combatants do not or cannot openly acknowledge the nature of their conflict. The words and actions which Thucydides chooses for his narrative meet his criteria for stasis: the speeches in the History represent the breakdown of language and communication characteristic of internal conflict, and the zeal for victory led to acts of unusual brutality and cruelty, and overall disregard for genuinely Hellenic customs, codes of morality and civic loyalty. Viewing the Peloponnesian War as a destructive internal war had profound consequences for Thucydides' historical vision.

Preface
Part I. The Model of Stasis: 1. Beyond Corcyra
Part II. Logoi: 2. The transvaluation of words
3. Hellenic states redefine the community of Hellas
4. The failure of communication
Part III. Erga: 5. The 'greatest kinesis'
6. The Peloponnesian war and stasis
Part IV. Thucydides and Hellas: 7. The archaeology, the Pentekontaetia and the Persians
List of works cited
General index
Index locorum.

Subject Areas: Political science & theory [JPA], Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500 [HPCA], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA], European history [HBJD], Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB]