Thucydides’s Histories: The Impact of Stereotypes During the Peloponnesian War

Thucydides’s Histories: The Impact of Stereotypes During the Peloponnesian War

Corinthian representatives provide a constructive comparison of the Spartan and Athenian stereotypes at the beginning of the Peloponnesian war from 431 BCE to 404 BCE1. In The History of the Peloponnesian War, the Spartan stereotypes are confirmed by their action’s at first, however they soon surprise the opposing districts of Greece by overcoming the negative stereotypes placed on them. Contrary to the Spartans, the Athenians completely lived up to other’s expectations as a risk-taking society. Readers who look to find the truth about ancient Greek relations search to gain an unbiased view of Thucydides’ stereotypes and how the stereotypes eventually impacted the outcome of the war. He also addresses the downfall of dunamis, otherwise known as power. Thucydides implicitly offers praise to the Spartans war tactics, thus producing his work dedicated on trying to improve the Athen’s war strategies.

Thucydides points out early on that the cause of the Peloponnesian war is due to the overwhelming fear that Sparta has towards Athens’ growth2. In essence, the Spartans did not want their government to become a direct democracy, which would mimic the government in Athens. After news of Athenian expansion breaks out, the Spartans call upon a Corinthian representative to uphold the Greek tradition of cross-examination by other city-states. The first criticism that the Spartans received by the Corinth’s was that they had a fear of losing and thus they are homebodies who were slow to make moves3. The negative side of the Spartan stereotypes appear to be true in the early stages of the war. At first, the Spartans contemplate whether they should go to war or not ...

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... someone who wished to be a neutral source, it is suggested that Thucydides presents the stereotypes of the two city-states at the beginning of the History of the Peloponnesian war as a prelude to themes to come ahead. Thucydides wanted readers to understand that the Spartan’s won only because the Athenian’s developed arrogant habits. It can be inferred that Thucydides believed that the Athenians were destined to win if they didn’t underestimate their opponent’s power. Through his use of stereotypes, he also proved that though a stereotype may initially have a bad reputation, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the stereotyped characteristic will only lead to negative results. Thucydides frames the histories as a handbook for the Athenians to prepare them for the next war in hopes that they learn from their mistakes, though Athens never regains it’s pre-war prosperity.