Thucydides

American  

[thoo-sid-i-deez] / θuˈsɪd ɪˌdiz /

noun

1. c460–c400 b.c., Greek historian.

---

Thucydides British  

/ θuːˈsɪdɪˌdiːz /

noun

1. ?460–?395 _bc , Greek historian and politician, distinguished for his History of the Peloponnesian War

---

Thucydides Cultural  

1. An ancient Greek historian and general. Thucydides' history of the Peloponnesian War, in which he fought, is famous for its careful reporting of events and its sharp analysis of causes and effects.

---

Other Word Forms

• Thucydidean
  adjective

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Thucydides

“Our two militaries should maintain regular dialogue, and improve mechanisms for crisis communication and prevention,” he continued, adding a historical reference to rising powers challenging established ones: “The Thucydides trap can be overcome.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 24, 2026

In remarks at the White House, the Chinese leader again mentioned the "Thucydides trap" – a theory that shifts in global power tend to lead to conflict between rising and declining nations.

From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026

But the lessons of Thucydides don’t point to inevitable rise or decline.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 18, 2026

Trump also responded to a comment by Xi referring to the "Thucydides Trap," a political theory that war becomes more likely when a rising new power competes with an established great power.

From Barron's ● May 14, 2026

Thucydides reported, enveloped the city in “a great degree of lawlessness.”

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---