Peloponnesian War(s) -- need resource besides Thucydides

[Laura K (NC)]

My 10th grade son is using SWB's History of the Ancient World for a spine this year. In the chapter on the Peloponnesian war, there's a detailed reference to the plot of the Aristophanes' play "Lysistrata," which is relevant to the Peloponnesian War(s) but something I'd rather avoid this year.

So I'd like another version of the Peloponnesian War. The natural choice is to read Thucydides, but there are a few problems with that. First, we simply don't have the time. Second, it's just difficult. My son's reading Livy now, and both he and I find it readable and even interesting. Thucydides is difficult, and he doesn't present the whole war.

We're pressed for time. I can see spending two weeks on the Peloponnesian War, but no more than that, certainly, before we have to move on. It looks like Donald Kagan wrote a few good books on the subject, but the one I'm looking at has over 500 pages, and it seems like I should try to find something a little shorter. I'm not sure where to ask for something like this. I want something longer than a Kingfisher spread on the subject, but easier than Thucydides.

Any suggestions?

[OC Mom]

Victor Davis Hanson wrote A War Like No Other on this topic a few years ago. It gets generally good reviews on Amazon. It's 400 pages, but probably much more readable than Thucydides. I haven't read it but plan to get it from my library very soon. I was at my limit on books last week when I was there, and had to put some things back. (mean librarians)

[Janie]

Introduction -- Book 1.1-23
The Debate at Sparta --Book 1.66-78
**Pericles' Funeral Oration--Book 2. 34-46
The Plague--Book 2. 47-55
The Policy of Pericles--Book 2.56-65
The Mytilenian Debate--Book 3.36=50
Civil War in Corcyra--Book 3.69-85
**The Melian Dialogue--Book 5.84-116

**Sections not to be missed!

The Landmark Thucydides is highly readable and interesting. Study questions for the above sections are found here (http://ablemedia.com/ctcweb/netshots/thucydes.htm) by scrolling halfway down.

I think we spent about two weeks this also.

HTH!

[dawn of ns]

A recent and popular account is Stephen Pressfield's Tides of War. It's in the same vein as Robert Graves, I, Claudius. I haven't read it but I did read Gates of Fire, his account of the battle of Thermopolae and it was fantastic.

[Dee in MI]

Thucydides is readable, and parts are fascinating. I used the Landmark Thucydides, which is awesome because it helps you keep track of where and when you are. All ancient books need this treatment :) (There's a Landmark Herodotus, too.)

However, I also recommend The Portable Greek Historians: The Essence of Herodotus, Thucydides, Xenophon, Polybius. It has the essential parts of Thucydides and Herodotus, and it has a nice introduction.

[Janie]

Very big thanks, Dee, for the heads-up about the Landmark Herodotus! Didn't know about this one!

[Jane in NC]

My son also read excerpts from Thucydides.

I wanted mention TTC lectures on Great Battles of the Ancient World with lecturer Garrett Fagan which perhaps you can find in your library. My son was fascinated by the series, which you can read about here (http://www.teach12.com/ttcx/CourseDescLong2.aspx?cid=3757).

[Laura K (NC)]

I'm so grateful to have this forum!

[anissarobert]

Laura-Thanks for asking this question. We are approaching this time period in the Great Books class I'm teaching. I was thinking about skipping Thucydides, but now I'm thinking we may have time for the excerpts that Janie recommended.

I'll second the cheer for this forum. What a great resource!

[Michelle in MO]

I wish I'd known that there was such a beautiful version of Herodotus; if I had, I definitely would have purchased the Landmark Herodotus, along with Thucydides!

Thanks, Janie and others, for recommending these beautiful books!

[LoriM]

Introduction -- Book 1.1-23
The Debate at Sparta --Book 1.66-78
**Pericles' Funeral Oration--Book 2. 34-46
The Plague--Book 2. 47-55
The Policy of Pericles--Book 2.56-65
The Mytilenian Debate--Book 3.36=50
Civil War in Corcyra--Book 3.69-85
**The Melian Dialogue--Book 5.84-116

**Sections not to be missed!

The Landmark Thucydides is highly readable and interesting. Study questions for the above sections are found here (http://ablemedia.com/ctcweb/netshots/thucydes.htm) by scrolling halfway down.

I think we spent about two weeks this also.

HTH!

Janie--I shared your selections with our middle school history teacher (my counterpart) since he's currently teaching Thucydides, and he said these are exactly the sections he's covering! :) I thought that was a nice coincidence.

Don't you want to move to NC? I think we're shopping for a 4-5th teacher...GRIN.

http://www.christcs.org/go/about-us/job-opportunities

Lori

[Janie]

LOL! Moving to NC.......let me think....out of my current depressive school situation....closer to Myrtle Beach....warmer weather...sounds mighty tempting!

[LoriM]

Just let me know when you want to come for a visit!!! Mi casa es su casa!

Oh, and will you be going to CiRCE this summer? I hope to attend this year. Once again, it interferes with BASIC Blowout at our church, but I am probably going to divide my time.

[Janie]

Haven't had time to even look at the calendar to see when my beach trips are. They take precedence, you know! But it sounds good since it is close. VP is in July in PA; SLC is in July in TX; ACCS is in June in Atlanta. Can't decide....Will have to think about it!