Classicist Neville Morley Examines How Thucydides Is Used to Explain Modern Politics
In a recent podcast, Dr. Neville Morley, who teaches Classics and Ancient History at the University of Exeter, discusses how Thucydides has been interpreted over time. He points out that many readers tend to simplify complex historical accounts for easier understanding. Thucydides, an Athenian politician from the 5th century BC, wrote the unfinished History of the Peloponnesian War with the aim of maintaining its relevance throughout history. His work lost prominence during the Middle Ages but gained attention when Thomas Hobbes translated it in the 17th century, and 19th-century scholars recognized it as a crucial historical text. Nowadays, Thucydides is often mentioned in talks about international relations, particularly the "Thucydides Trap," which examines the tensions between rising and established powers. Morley emphasizes the importance of appreciating historical complexity and shares his thoughts on his blog, The Sphinx.
Key facts
- Dr. Neville Morley is Professor of Classics and Ancient History at the University of Exeter
- Thucydides was an Athenian statesman and general in the 5th century BC who wrote about the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta
- His History of the Peloponnesian War is unfinished and takes a critical approach rather than simply recounting events
- Thomas Hobbes translated Thucydides in the 17th century after the text largely disappeared from the Western tradition during the Middle Ages
- 19th-century historians embraced the work as a model of historical research
- The "Thucydides Trap" describes a rising power and an established power being drawn into conflict as the balance of power shifts
- Morley warns that the line "the strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must" obscures complexity when taken out of context
- Morley publishes writings on ancient history and historiography on his blog, The Sphinx
Entities
Artists
- Neville Morley
- Thucydides
- Thomas Hobbes
Institutions
- University of Exeter
- The Sphinx
- The Collector
Locations
- Exeter
- United Kingdom
- Athens
- Greece
- Sparta
- Jerash
- Jordan
- Berlin
- Germany
- Vienna
- Austria