The asterisked sections in this synopsis are those I do not discuss in any detail. Although not central to my argument, all contribute to Thucydides' narrative and some are of considerable historical, military and literary interest.

Book 1

1. Introduction [1.1–23.3]

2. Reasons for writing [1.1]

3. Early history of Greece [1.2–19]

4. Aims and methods [1.20–2]

5. Importance of this war [1.23.1–3]

6. Background to the war [1.23.4–46]

7. Causes of the war [1.23.4–6]

8. Epidamnos and Corcyra [1.24–55]

9. Potidaea [1.56–66]

10. First meeting of Peloponnesian league [1.67–88]

11. ‘Fifty years’ of Athenian power [1.89–118]

12. Second meeting of Peloponnesian league [1.119–25]

13. Spartan ultimatum and Pericles’ response [1.139–46]

Book 2

1. First year of the war, 431–430 First year of the war, 431–430

2. Outbreak of war [2.1]

3. Thebans attack Plataea [2.2–6]

4. Preparations and alliances on both sides [2.7–17]

5. Peloponnesians invade Attica [2.18–32]

6. * Corinthians active in west [2.33]

7. Pericles’ funeral speech at Athens [2.34–2.47.1]

8. Second year of the war, 430–429 [2.47.2–70]

9. Peloponnesians invade Attica [2.47.2]

10. Plague at Athens [2.47.3–54]

11. Spartan campaigns and Pericles’ response [2.55–64]

12. Thucydides’ assessment of Pericles and Athens’ eventual defeat [2.65]