Thucydides' Histories is a seminal work of historical scholarship and a cornerstone of Western literature. Written in the 5th century B.C., it chronicles the first 20 years of the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta. Thucydides' work is notable for its rigorous methodology, its insightful analysis of human nature, and its vivid descriptions of military and political events. The Histories has had a profound influence on Western thought and remains an essential text for students of history, political science, and philosophy.