
The Peloponnesian War
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
3 months free
Buy for $39.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Charlton Griffin
-
By:
-
Thucydides
Historians universally agree that Thucydides was the greatest historian who has ever lived, and that his story of the Peloponnesian conflict is a marvel of forensic science and fine literature. That such a triumph of intellectual accomplishment was created at the end of the fifth century B.C. in Greece is, perhaps, not so surprising, given the number of original geniuses we find in that period. But that such an historical work would also be simultaneously acknowledged as a work of great literature and a penetrating ethical evaluation of humanity is one of the miracles of ancient history. For in the pages of Thucydides we find examples of every ethical and political problem ever faced by democratic governments in the last 2,400 years. And it was all organized and written with a breathtaking skill and dramatic intensity which have never been equalled.
Thucydides was an Athenian noble born around 455 B.C. whose antecedents could be traced back to the great Peisitratus and Cimon. In 424 B.C., Thucydides was in command of naval forces attempting to defend Amphipolis in Thrace. Although unsuccessful through no fault of his own, his enemies in Athens blamed him for failure and engineered his exile. It was a fortunate event, for it was upon this accident of history that Thucydides gained the opportunity to become the chronicler of events in Greece. In complete contrast to the furious passions which raged around him, he described events with a cool detachment and an absolute impartiality that is little short of miraculous. He is believed to have died violently, perhaps while writing, in about 400 B.C. His manuscript simply breaks off in mid paragraph.
The Peloponnesian War is organized into eight parts (“books”). This recording uses the highly esteemed translation of Benjamin Jowett. There are several essays preceding and following the work.
Public Domain (P)2012 Audio ConnoisseurListeners also enjoyed...




















People who viewed this also viewed...


















A reminder for Western Civilization: it can be lost
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
amazing
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Well read, fascinating look into ancient Greeks
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Would you consider the audio edition of The Peloponnesian War to be better than the print version?
The audio version was much better than the print version for me. For some reason I just couldn't keep track of who was who with the print. The audio version with the narration kept me on track to the happenings for the most part.What was one of the most memorable moments of The Peloponnesian War?
The most memorable moment for me was the attempted breakout from Sicily by the Athenian army, which turned into a disaster of epic proportions.What about Charlton Griffin’s performance did you like?
He was subtle in his voice inflections. I think the "Britishness" of his voice helped give the entire affair a slightly foreign feel... but not too foreign.Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
The killing of numerous civilians was difficult to hear about, but necessary to tell the story.Drama and History
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Unless you are very familiar with ancient Greece, this is going to be a chore to read. The many names and places are hard to keep up with. To be honest, there are going to be many names and places referenced that you won't know anything about and you just have to accept that.
The great thing is that there are several introductions to the book which help give you an idea of what's going on. I would encourage everyone to listen to all of the introductions and the afterward.
The narration is perfect. Perhaps the best narrating job I've come across on Audible.
Remarkable Work of History; Difficult but Worth It
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Great performance of a lengthy classic.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Charlton Griffin is a legend
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Really Excellent
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Like grandpa reading you a bed time story.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Great story, great narration
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.