The Great War Between Athens And Sparta: A Companion To The Military History Of Thucydides

As "a companion to the military history of Thucydides, " this learned and thoughtful treatise by a well-known Oxford tutor is assured of a hearty welcome. For Dr. Henderson, in retelling the story of the most famous of all wars, gives the essence of many commentaries on Thucydides, with numerous maps and plans, and also cites recent parallels to the old campaigns. Thucydides is so modern in his outlook that this method of treatment is not merely permissible but entirely appropriate. Dr. Henderson has a vivacious style and enters heartily into the spirit of the many dramatic episodes, such as Cleon's victory at Sphacteria, or the desecrating of the "Herniae" on the very eve of the sailing of the expedition to Syracuse, or the condemnation of the Athenian generals after their last great sea-victory at Arginusae. Even those who think that they know their Thucydides well may learn a good deal from the book. And the implied lesson of the crimes and follies that an uncontrolled democracy can commit—comes out stronger than ever.—The Spectator Archive Content: TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION PREFACE MAPS AND PLANS CHAPTER I-THE CAUSE OF THE WAR 1. Sparta 2. Pericles CHAPTER II-PERICLES 1. The strength of the rivals 2. Pericles' "strategy of exhaustion" 3. The criticism of Pericles' strategy 4. The price of the strategy: Plataea 5. The greatness of Pericles CHAPTER III-THE BEGINNINGS OF THE WAR AT SEA 1. Strategy: the tasks for Athens' fleet 2. Tactics: the handling of the ships 3. Phormio 4. Alcidas 5. The Athenian naval predominance CHAPTER IV-THE CAMPAIGNS IN THE NORTH-WEST 1. The theatre of war 2. The battle of Stratus 3. The raid on Salamis 4. Demosthenes' Aetolian expedition 5. Demosthenes' victories at Olpae and Idomene 6. The close of operations CHAPTER V-CLEON 1. Cleon and Nicias 2. Cleon's rebuff: Mitylene 3. Demosthenes at Pylos 4. Cleon's triumph: Sphacteria NOTE-PYLOS AND SPHACTERIA CHAPTER VI-ATHENS' FAILURES 1. The "strategy of offence" against Boeotia 2. The battle of Delium 3. Sicily: the Congress of Gela 4. Megara: the Athenian capture of Nisaea CHAPTER VII-BRASIDAS 1. Chalcidice 2. The capture of Amphipolis 3. The banishment of Thucydides 4. The end of Brasidas and Cleon 5. The temporary peace CHAPTER VIII-ALCIBIADES 1. The new leader 2. Alcibiades' Argive policy 3. Agis' attack on Argos 4. The battle of Mantinea 5. The Chalcidic "alternative to Sicily" CHAPTER IX-SYRACUSE 1. Alcibiades' Sicilian policy 2. The mutilation of the Hermae 3. The first year's operations against Syracuse 4. The siege of the city 5. The Syracusan triumph 6. The retreat and the massacre CHAPTER X-THE END OF THUCYDIDES' NARRATIVE 1. "The Ionian War" and the evidence for it 2. The muster of the fleets, 412 B.C. 3. The Oligarchic Revolution of 411 B.C. 4. The battle of Cynossema CHAPTER XI-THE END OF THE WAR 1. The triumph and the fall of Alcibiades 2. The campaign and battle of Arginusae 3. The condemnation of the generals 4. The "battle" of Aegospotami and the fall of Athens EPILOGUE NOTE TO CHAPTER XI-THE "MIDDLE PARTY" AND ITS LEADERS CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY