ABSTRACT
Thucydides viewed the Peloponnesian War as the greatest disturbance that had ever affected the Greeks (doc. 9.1). A detailed reading of Thucydides’ work is necessary for an in-depth understanding of his views of the war and of Athenian imperialism. This chapter assumes that Thucydides’ history is an essential background to the study of this period and concentrates primarily on a few of the main historical events, and particularly on the epigraphic evidence which complements Thucydides’ narrative. One of the main themes which emerges is the enhanced Athenian imperialism which accompanied the Peloponnesian War, particularly with regard to tribute payment, which became of prime importance for Athens’ prosecution of the war.
