This book examines the modern reception of Thucydides, the ancient Greek historian, and its impact on contemporary ideas about history. Neville Morley investigates how Thucydides, viewed since the eighteenth century as a pivotal classical historian and a source of political wisdom, has been interpreted and reinterpreted within modern Western historiography. The study illuminates changing notions of the nature, purpose, and methodology of history, as well as the evolving role of the historian. Morley's work addresses a significant gap in scholarship by tracing the trajectory of Thucydides' influence on historical thought.

This volume is presented as a significant contribution to the study of historiography, specifically addressing the neglect of Thucydides' modern reception. The publisher's description highlights its role in shedding fresh light on contemporary ideas about history and the historian. The work is positioned within the 'New Directions in Classics' series, suggesting an academic and scholarly audience interested in classical studies and historical methodology. It aims to offer a nuanced perspective on how historical thought has evolved through the lens of Thucydides' enduring influence.