Book 2 Summary and Analysis

Book Two begins Thucydides' history of the Peloponnesian war, proper, and resorts to the successful chronological presentation of events which is generally pursued throughout the remainder of the text. Book Two considers the events of 431 through 429 BC; although events are presented chronologically, the geography of events varies widely and readers would do well to obtain a detailed theater map if such is not presented in their edition of Thucydides. Most significant events occur throughout the text in one of five major geographical spheres. The first area is the Attica-Euboea-Boeotia area of Greece—that area directly North of the Peloponnesian Isthmus. The second area is the Peloponnesus itself—that area directly South of the Peloponnesian Isthmus. A third area is Western Hellas, including Arcanania, Ambracia, Corcyra, Epidamnus, the Ionian Islands, and Naupactus, among others. Much early activity occurs in the...