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What Thucydides Can Teach Us About Politics and War

Hoover Institution

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Everyone quotes Thucydides—but are we getting him right? Historian Andrew Novo joins Andrew Roberts to explore what the chronicler of Athens and Sparta really tells us about war, democracy, ambition, and human nature. From the disastrous invasion of Sicily to today’s rivalry between America and China, they examine how leaders wield power, how democracies lose their way, and why history’s most memorable lines can teach the wrong lessons when stripped of context.

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12 Comments

@meinking22 1 day ago

This was a fantastic discussion. Personally, I don't read Thucydides for insight or even wisdom (although both are present in his work). I read him for immersion into his time, into the thinking of the time, the practices of the society and culture. These are ancient ways long forgotten but preserved in his idiosyncrasy. Thank you for sharing.

@MyloBgood 1 day ago

I loved the cheeky outgoing remarks dear sir! Thank you for your well executed show and love of history that is infectious! 🎉

@Alma-ej5kz 1 day ago

Understand the human nature. It has saved me a lot of troubles. It is constant. It is not going to change.

@alvinseah5423 1 day ago

The lesson is: generals who fail at war go on to write books.
The modern version is, generals who fail at war become podcast hosts and talking heads on news shows.
Examples include Jack Keane, HR McMaster, etc

@irongrandma1951 22 hours ago

“An insightful remedy ... The authors adeptly address the use and abuse of The History ... a noteworthy addition to the field studying Thucydides’s work. ... this outstanding book offers those involved in national security revelations about individual agency, domestic politics, the international security environment, and strategy. It also arms readers with the evidence and background to accept or challenge how others employ the oft-quoted maxims of Thucydides. ” —Joint Force Quarterly

@StrugglesWithWords 1 day ago

Excellent. Thank you.

@stephenboisvert6703 1 day ago

I will never forget AOC going to Munich and talking about Realpolitik like it's a fancy foreign concept that totally validates her populist tendencies

@stevenovetsky3274 1 day ago

❤🎉

@gordonwallace3584 1 day ago

I hope everyone specially the two speakers remember and take note of, AMERICA IS NOT A DEMOCRACY! AMERICA IS A REPUBLIC WITH A CONSTITUTION AND BILL OF RIGHTS UTILIZING DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES TO EFFECT OUR GOVERNMENT. PURE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS DO NOT STAND THE TEST OF TIME OR HISTORY BY DESCENDING INTO ANARCHY! Respectfully

@Sanskrit2016 1 day ago

That was over 2500 years ago!! Better stick to 20th and 21st C. It's like the West just discovered Greece!!

@roybeatty9907 1 day ago

NB: I watched this to discover why Andrew Robert's chooses to wear a "Hitler" mustache !

Your nose, sir, creates an unfortunate shadow ! Please be mindful of the results.

Thank you