Thucydides and the Pursuit of Freedom , livre ebook

207

pages

English

Ebooks

2015

Écrit par
P. Nichols Mary

Publié par
Cornell University Press

Lire un extrait

Obtenez un accès à la bibliothèque pour le consulter en ligne En savoir plus

Découvre YouScribe en t'inscrivant gratuitement

Je m'inscris

Découvre YouScribe en t'inscrivant gratuitement

Je m'inscris

207

pages

English

Ebook

2015

Lire un extrait

Obtenez un accès à la bibliothèque pour le consulter en ligne En savoir plus

Publié par

Cornell University Press

Date de parution

07 mai 2015

Nombre de lectures

EAN13

9780801455582

Langue

English

Poids de l'ouvrage

1 Mo

In Thucydides and the Pursuit of Freedom, Mary P. Nichols argues for the centrality of the idea of freedom in Thucydides' thought. Through her close reading of his History of the Peloponnesian War, she explores the manifestations of this theme. Cities and individuals in Thucydides' history take freedom as their goal, whether they claim to possess it and want to maintain it or whether they desire to attain it for themselves or others. Freedom is the goal of both antagonists in the Peloponnesian War, Sparta and Athens, although in different ways. One of the fullest expressions of freedom can be seen in the rhetoric of Thucydides' Pericles, especially in his famous funeral oration. More than simply documenting the struggle for freedom, however, Thucydides himself is taking freedom as his cause. On the one hand, he demonstrates that freedom makes possible human excellence, including courage, self-restraint, deliberation, and judgment, which support freedom in turn. On the other hand, the pursuit of freedom, in one's own regime and in the world at large, clashes with interests and material necessity, and indeed the very passions required for its support. Thucydides' work, which he himself considered a possession for all time, therefore speaks very much to our time, encouraging the defense of freedom while warning of the limits and dangers in doing so. The powerful must defend freedom, Thucydides teaches, but beware that the cost not become freedom itself.

Voir

Publié par

Cornell University Press

Date de parution

07 mai 2015

Nombre de lectures

EAN13

9780801455582

Langue

English

Poids de l'ouvrage

1 Mo

q THUCYDIDES AND THEPURSUIT OF FREEDOM

THUCYDIDES AND THE PURSUIT OF FREEDOM n

M a r y P. N i c h o l s

CORNELL UNIVERSITY PRESS Ithaca and London

Cover art: Philipp von Foltz,The Age of Pericles(1853).

All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in a review, this book, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher. For information, address Cornell University Press, Sage House, 512 East State Street, Ithaca, New York 14850.

First published 2015 by Cornell University Press

Printed in the United States of America

Library of Congress CataloginginPublication Data Nichols, Mary P., author. Thucydides and the pursuit of freedom / Mary P. Nichols. pages cm Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 9780801453168 (cloth : alk. paper) 1. Thucydides—Political and social views. 2. Liberty. 3. Thucydides. History of the Peloponnesian War. I. Title. DF229.T6N53 2015 938'.05092—dc23 2014024626

Cornell University Press strives to use environmentally responsible suppliers and materials to the fullest extent possible in the publishing of its books. Such materials include vegetablebased, lowVOC inks and acidfree papers that are recycled, totally chlorinefree, or partly composed of nonwood fibers. For further information, visit our website at www.cornellpress.cornell.edu.

Cloth printing

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

q Co nte nts

Acknowledgments vii

Introduction: Thucydides as Historian 1. Periclean Athens and an Image of Freedom 2. Athenian Freedom in the Balance: Mytilene and Plataea 3. Sparta, Brasidas, and the Liberation of Hellas 4. Sicily, Alcibiades, and the Liberation ofEors¯5. Homecoming and Freedom

Conclusion: Thucydides, an Athenian

Bibliography185 Index191

107 138 169

q A c k n o w l e d g m e nt s

I have had two occasions over the years to teach Thucydides as a graduate seminar, once at Fordham University and once at Baylor. Both classes stand out in my experience of over forty years of teach ing, for the insights and the encouragement that my students gave me. Their good spirit, intelligence, and humor will always remain with me, as will the image of a “Save Plataea” Tshirt they promised. I have been blessed for so many years with my graduate students, from whom I have received more than they can imagine. To them all, I would like to dedicate this book. Two presentations of my work on Thucydides, at the University of Notre Dame and the College of the Holy Cross, helped me refine my thoughts, as did the questions and conversations that followed. I am also grateful to the friends who read and criticized versions of my manuscript, including Chris tine Basil, Susan Benfield, Steve Block, Kevin Burns, William Mathie, and most of all David Nichols, whose support and love made this book possible. Thanks also to the anonymous readers who made suggestions for improving the manuscript, and to Peter J. Potter and his staff at Cornell University Press, who guided this process with competence and care. This book was supported in part by funds from the College and Dean of Arts and Sciences of Baylor University and from the Arts & Humanities Faculty Research Program and the Vice Provost for Research.

vii

q THUCYDIDES AND THEPURSUIT OF FREEDOM

Voir