Presents: Thucydides and the Peloponnesian War

COURSE DESCRIPTION ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR COURSE SCHEDULE Why do nations go to war? Do Professor Donald & LOCATION Kagan is the This course will take place over shifts in the balance of power Sterling Professor 12 evening sessions at the Hertog between rising and status quo Emeritus of Foundation’s office in Washington, powers inevitably produce con- Classics and DC. Dinner will be served. flict? What challenges are democ- History at Yale • Begins: May 2nd University. His racies likely to face in fighting a • Ends: July 18th four-volume long war against a determined, • Meeting Days: Wednesdays History of the • Meeting Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm ideologically hostile adversary? Peloponnesian War • Time Commitment: 2 hours/week Is there a “Thucydides Trap,” is the leading and if so, can we avoid it? scholarly work on the subject. He is also the author of many books on ancient REQUIREMENTS Thucydides wrote that his history was and modern topics, including On the This course will be conducted as a for “those inquirers who desire an exact Origins of War and the Preservation of Peace, seminar, with an emphasis on discussion knowledge of the past as an aid to the The Great Dialogue: A History of Greek among the participants. Participants will understanding of the future.” In this Political Thought from Homer to Polybius, be expected to complete reading assign- seminar, distinguished Yale historian and Thucydides: The Reinvention of History. ments from Professor Kagan’s one-vol- ume history of the Peloponnesian War, and classicist Donald Kagan will reprise Professor Kagan has won numerous Thucydides’ history, and selections one of his most popular courses – a awards and fellowships, including four from other classic and secondary texts. close study both of the Peloponnesian teaching awards at Cornell and Yale. War and Thucydides’ account of it, In 2002 he was the recipient of the In addition, students will be assigned with a view toward elucidating the fun- National Humanities Medal, and in 2005 two short essays for the course. damental and recurring problems of was named the National Endowment These essays will be shared and used geopolitics at all times and places. for the Humanities Jefferson Lecturer. to begin the seminar.

TO APPLY Students and young professionals (35 and To apply, submit your resume and a personal statement under) in the Washington, DC area are eligible (Describe your background, your intellectual interests, to apply. Up to 18 participants will be selected. and your future ambitions as they relate to the program. 1,000 words or less) to [email protected].

Deadline: Monday, 4.23.18 Page 1 Presents: Thucydides and the Peloponnesian War

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

WED., MAY 2 WED., MAY 9 WED., MAY 16 WED., MAY 23

Session I Session II Session III Session IV Introduction Rebellion at Mytilene Pylos and Sphacteria Brasidas’ Expedition & Strategies | The Plague Adventures in the West Megara and Delium the Fall of Amphipolis and Its Consequences

WED., MAY 30 WED., JUNE 6 WED., JUNE 13 WED., JUNE 20

Session V Session VI Session VII Session VIII Mantinea The Decay of the Peace The Sicilian Expedition After the Disaster Politics & Imperial Alcibiades & Sparta Athens, Sparta, & Persia Policy at Athens

WED., JUNE 27 TUES., JULY 3 WED., JULY 11 WED., JULY 18

Session IX Session X Session XI Session XII The Oligarchic Coup Arginusae Aegospotami & Conclusion Alcibiades & Lysander Athenian Politics Surrender

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