The History of the Peloponnesian War chronicles the conflict between Athens and Sparta in the 5th century BCE. Unlike his predecessors, Thucydides approached history with a rigorous and empirical mindset, emphasizing the importance of factual accuracy and the underlying human motivations in political and military affairs. His impact on Western thought has been profound, particularly in the realms of political philosophy, history, and international relations. The work has influenced thinkers from the Renaissance to the modern era, including the Founding Fathers of the United States, who studied his exploration of the fragility of democracy and the importance of civic responsibility. The realist approach to politics, which emphasizes the role of power and self-interest in international relations, can be traced back to Thucydides' analysis of the Peloponnesian War.
