Thucydide

1676 · 922 — London: Andrew Clark 1676. Second Edition. Folio 13" Tall Fine Leather Binding Bound by A.B. Buck. Near Fine. The History of the Grecian War: In Eight Books<br /> Written by Thucydides. Faithfully Translated from the Original by Thomas Hobbes of Malmsbury. Second Edition 1676. Printed in London by Andrew Clark for Charles Harper.<br /> A handsome beautifully bound 1676 second edition of Thomas Hobbes’s landmark translation of Thucydides’s History of the Peloponnesian War. Originally published in 1629 Hobbes’s translation was his first published work and remains one of the most celebrated and muscular English translations of the great Greek historian. Complete with striking fold-out maps and detailed engravings this volume represents a brilliant intersection of classical history and 17th-century English political philosophy.<br /> The Hobbes Translation: Highly sought after by collectors of both classical history and political philosophy. Hobbes translated Thucydides to warn his fellow Englishmen against the dangers of democracy making this text a precursor to his later masterpiece Leviathan.<br /> Superb Cartography & Engravings: Features the magnificent "Mapp of Antient Greece" expressly designed by Thomas Hobbes himself alongside intricate fold-out plates depicting city fortifications regional maps and boasts a beautifully engraved architectural title page.<br /> <br /> <br /> Imprint: London: Printed by Andrew Clark for Charles Harper and are to be sold by him at the Flower-de-luce over against St. Dunstan's Church in Fleet-street MDCLXXVI 1676. Second Edition much Corrected and Amended.<br /> Large folio 13"x9" bound by A.B. Buck in full dark brown Morocco with six compartments and five raised bands to spine with bright gilt rule to bands. Binding and hinges are excellent new end papers and paste downs elaborate engraved frontispiece/title page depicting Thucydides and scenes from the Peloponnesian War. The text block is crisp with generous margins. Includes the dedication to Sir William Cavendish. The volume contains all fold-out maps and plans including the notable map of Ancient Greece by Hobbes himself and detailed engravings of fortified cities. Early neat ink marginalia/manuscript notes on the endpapers add a lovely touch of historical provenance. Pages are bright and clean with minimal age toning/foxing/soiling.<br /> Thomas Hobbes undertook this translation during a period of rising political tension in England. He chose Thucydides because in Hobbes's own view the Greek historian demonstrated the failures of democracy and the necessity of strong centralized authority. Because of this this translation is not just a classical history—it is a foundational text in the development of modern political thought.<br /> <br /> <br /> Key Conflicts & Campaigns within the Text<br /> The Archidamian War Books 1–5: This is the first decade of the conflict characterized by repeated Spartan invasions of Attica and Athenian naval raids on the Peloponnesian coast. It includes the famous account of the devastating Plague of Athens which killed the great Athenian leader Pericles.<br /> The Siege of Plataea Books 2–3:<br /> One of the most famous and harrowing sieges in ancient history. Thucydides provides incredible tactical details of the Spartan siege engines the Plataean counter-defenses and the ultimate desperate breakout attempt by the defenders in the dead of winter.<br /> The Mytilenean Revolt Book 3:<br /> A critical moment where the city of Mytilene attempts to break away from the Athenian Empire. This section contains the famous "Mytilenean Debate" a chilling discussion on the ethics of empire justice and whether to execute an entire rebel population.<br /> The Battle of Pylos and Sphacteria Book 4:<br /> A shocking Athenian victory where they managed to trap and capture elite Spartan hoplites on a small island. This completely upended the myth of Spartan invincibility as Spartans were expected to fight to the death rather than surrender.<br /> The Sicilian Expedition Books 6–7:<br /> Often considered the climax of Thucydides's narrative this covers Athens' disastrous hubristic attempt to conquer Syracuse in Sicily. It is a massive self-contained tragedy within the broader war ending in the total annihilation of the Athenian fleet and army. For collectors Books 6 and 7 are often considered the greatest pieces of military writing in antiquity.<br /> The Ionian War / The Oligarchic Coup Book 8:<br /> The final book covers the beginning of the end for Athens detailing naval warfare in the Aegean the intervention of the Persian Empire and the political collapse of the Athenian democracy into a short-lived oligarchy. Thucydides's manuscript abruptly cuts off in the year 411 BC.<br /> <br /> <br /> . Andrew Clark unknown