Besides the political causes of the war, Thucydides was interested in and emphasized the conflict between two types of character: the ever-active, innovating, revolutionary, disturbing Athenians and the slower-moving, more cautious Peloponnesians, especially the Spartans, “not excited by success nor despairing in misfortune,” but quietly self-confident. Thucydides was not really concerned with individuals but rather with the actions, sufferings, and the characters of states (“the Athenians,” “the Syracusans,” etc.); but he did understand the significance of personalities. Besides depicting by their words and deeds the characters of some who influenced events—such as Cleon, the harsh demagogue of Athens; Hermocrates, the ...(100 of 2787 words)
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