This collection extracts key passages from Thucydides' seminal work to illuminate his theories on justice, power, and human nature. The selections, translated into clear and direct English by Paul Woodruff, are designed for readers unfamiliar with ancient Greek. They focus on passages that reveal Thucydides' political thought, including both famous and less commonly recognized sections, presented within a narrative framework to aid comprehension.

This collection is designed to make Thucydides' complex political theories accessible to a modern audience, particularly students and instructors of political theory and Greek civilization. The focus on key passages, coupled with a new translation and contextual narrative, aims to highlight the enduring relevance of his observations on power and human nature. The inclusion of supplementary materials like maps and a glossary further supports its pedagogical purpose.