Thucydides
History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides is a detailed account of the long conflict (431-404 BCE) between Athens and Sparta, fought for dominance in ancient Greece. Thucydides analyzes the political decisions, military strategies, and human motivations behind the war, emphasizing power, fear, and self-interest rather than divine causes. He portrays the war as a moral and social breakdown, illustrated by events such as the Plague of Athens, the Melian Dialogue, and the disastrous Sicilian Expedition. The work is unfinished but remains influential for its realistic approach to history and its insights into the nature of power and war.