This book attempts to understand Thucydides'
explanation for Athens' rise and decline by focusing
on his treatment of Athenian democracy and Athenian
empire from antiquity to the close of the
Peloponnesian War. That treatment sheds light on
the problematic relationship between democracy and
empire at all times and in all places.

Thucydides teaches that the Athenians' unique
ability to live lives at once liberal, lawful,
vigorous, and far-sighted allowed the development of
Athenian democracy, and prepared the way for the
expansion of Athenian power.

Thucydides shows that Pericles was Athens' greatest
leader because he drew upon and fostered Athens'
exceptional qualities. The most remarkable of these
was the blending of usually incompatible elements,
such as public spiritedness and private pursuits.
However after Pericles' death, the Athenians lost
those qualities. Hence they lost their democracy
and empire as well.

Pericles' brilliant balancing act, enshrined in the
funeral oration, enabled Athens for a moment. Its
survival, in the form of communicable understanding,
is the work of Thucydides' art.