The ancient Greek historians (Harvard lectures) by J. B. Bury.

IV

THUCYDIDES

133

attitude to history and politics, we must consider
it more particularly.
We have seen how Thucydides speaks in the
highest terms of the political ability of Pericles, and
was convinced that, if he had lived or had a
successor as able as himself, the war would have
terminated favourably for Athens. But this general
conviction would be quite compatible with discriminating criticism. The tribute which he has
paid to Pericles does not imply that he saw eye to
eye with the statesman in all things or held his
political faith. There are proofs, in my opinion,
that he exercised here, as in other cases, a cold
independent judgment, and had no scruples in
exhibiting weak points.
The speeches of Pericles claim our special attention. I may begin by pointing out that the praise
which Pericles bestows in the Epitaphiosl on the
democratic constitution of Athens, implying that
it was an ideal form of government, is not in
accordance with the view of Thucydides, who
expressly states that in his opinion the short-lived
politeia which was established in Athens after the
fall of the Four Hundred was not merely superior
to democracy, but was the only good constitution
that Athens had enjoyed in his lifetime.2 In other
words, lie did not consider democracy a good constitution. In the second place, we may feel con1ii. 37.
2 iii. 97 Ktl oX 'KtffLard TO rbv rpwirov Xp6vov v ri y ' e4/oOv 'AOp^vacol
/0aivovTra e6 7roXhrev'avrES. Is the reserve bari y' Luoo simply cautiousness,
or is it an allusion to the TirrptoS iroXtrela of early times?