Articles on Athens

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Pericles Funeral Oration on the Greek 50 Drachmai 1955 Banknote. Shutterstock

Thucydides and the plague of Athens - what it can teach us now

Thucydides’ description of the plague that struck Athens in 430 BC is one of the great passages of Greek literature. It focusses on the social response, both of those who died and those who survived.
The Parthenon is visible for miles around from the Acropolis (citadel) on which it stands. Shutterstock

Blowing up the Parthenon: the power of a symbol

The Parthenon has been seen as central to the history of Western civilisation. But the building has a troubled past that is somewhat at odds with our ideas of democratic values.




Does ancient Greek war hawk Pericles provide clues to a besieged Donald Trump's next move? War has always been a helpful distraction for cornered world leaders.
Chinese President Xi Jinping wants to make China great again. US President Donald Trump has expressed similar hopes for his own country. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Are China and the US destined for war?

The comparison between ancient Athens and modern China, and Sparta and the US, through the Thucydides Trap, has its limitations.

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