Thucydides And The Pursuit Of Freedom Project Muse Upcc Books

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. 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. THUCYDIDES AND THE PURSUIT OF FREEDOM 1 Contents 6 Acknowledgments 8 Introduction: Thucydides as Historian 12 1. Periclean Athens and an Image of Freedom 35 2. Athenian Freedom in the Balance: Mytilene and Plataea 62 3. Sparta, Brasidas, and the Liberation of Hellas 89 4. Sicily, Alcibiades, and the Liberation of Erōs 118 5. Homecoming and Freedom 149 Conclusion: Thucydides, an Athenian 180 Bibliography 196 Index 202 Introduction: Thucydides As Historian -- Periclean Athens And An Image Of Freedom -- Athenian Freedom In The Balance: Mytilene And Plataea -- Sparta, Brasidas, And The Liberation Of Hellas -- Sicily, Alcibiades, And The Liberation Of Eros -- Homecoming And Freedom -- Conclusion: Thucydides, An Athenian. Mary P. Nichols. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 185-189) And Index. In this book, Mary P. Nichols argues for the centrality of the idea of freedom in Thucydides' thought. -- Cornell University Press