Thucydides - When War Comes

What happens when war comes? In Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War, war brings along with many negative elements for a society. These negative effects are seen very clearly in Athens during the Plague and in Corcyra during the civil war. Lawlessness, dissipation of religion and acts of treason are among these effects that are seen by Thucydides in his accounts. He tries to inform his reader on the horrifying effects that a war has …

…here, and right now. This is very harmful for any city, because its decisions now, will change or influence the future. As war comes, it brings down society. Thucydides uses the examples of The Plague in Athens and the civil war in Corcyra to demonstrate the change the citizens of those cities during these harsh times. Complete lawlessness, dissipation of religion and authoritative figures, and many innumerable deaths. When war comes, war comes full force.