Thucydides

Thucydides was an Athenian general and historian who lived in the fifth century BC. He is best known for his work, the History of the Peloponnesian War, which recounts the struggle between Athens and Sparta, the two leading city-states of ancient Greece, from 431 to 411 BC. His work is considered as the first scientific history, as he applied strict standards of evidence-gathering and analysis of cause and effect, without reference to intervention by the gods. He also showed a keen interest in the political and moral aspects of war, such as the effects of fear, self-interest, and honor on human behavior. He was also a participant in the war, as he was appointed as a strategist in 424 BC and led a naval expedition to Thrace. However, he failed to prevent the capture of Amphipolis by the Spartans and was exiled by the Athenian democracy. He spent his exile traveling around Greece and collecting information for his history. He died sometime before 396 BC, leaving his work unfinished. His history is regarded as one of the greatest works of ancient literature and a valuable source of information about the Peloponnesian War and the culture and society of classical Greece.