Thucydides, son of Melesias was a prominent politician of ancient Athens and the leader for a number of years of the powerful conservative faction. While it is likely he is related to the later historian and general Thucydides, son of Olorus, the details are uncertain; maternal grandfather and grandson fits the available evidence.

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Thucydides, son of Melesias was a prominent politician of ancient Athens and the leader for a number of years of the powerful conservative faction. While it is likely he is related to the later historian and general Thucydides, son of Olorus, the details are uncertain; maternal grandfather and grandson fits the available evidence.

Notable quotes

“For the love of gain would reconcile the weaker to the dominion of the stronger, and the possession of capital enabled the more powerful to reduce the smaller cities to subjection.”
— Book I, 1.8-[3]
“self-control contains honour as a chief constituent, and honour bravery.”
— Book I, 1.84; "self-control is the chief element in self-respect, and respect of self, in turn, is the chief element in courage" (trans. Charles Forster Smith)
“[H]e who voluntarily confronts tremendous odds must have very great internal resources to draw upon.”
— Book II, 2.89-[6]
“They stood where they stood by the power of the sword.”
— Book IV, 4.98-[7]
“Contempt for an assailant is best shown by bravery in action.”
— Book VI, 6.34-[9]; "the true contempt of an invader is shown by deeds of valour in the field" (trans. Benjamin Jowett)
“The wide difference between the two characters, the slowness and want of energy of the Spartans as contrasted with the dash and enterprise of their opponents, proved of the greatest service, especially to a maritime empire like Athens. Indeed this was shown by the Syracusans, who were most like the Athenians in character, and also most successful in combating them.”
— Book VIII, 8.96-[5]