The rise and fall of empires/帝国的兴衰

This book is an interpretation of the ancient Greek historian Thucydides' "History of the Peloponnesian War" and explores the reasons for the rise and fall of the Athenian Empire. Thucydides did not bluntly express his understanding of the root causes of Athens' decline. Instead, he told us that we must have the courage to face the real history and not indulge in chasing theoretical "illusions." While explaining the text, the book also intersperses a large number of background introductions to the transformation process of Athens' political system, making the history of Athens appear in front of readers in a more vivid and rich appearance.

本书是对古希腊历史学家修昔底德《伯罗奔尼撒战争史》一书的解读，探寻雅典帝国兴衰的原因。修昔底德没有直言自己对雅典衰败根源的理解，反而告诉我们要勇于面对真实历史，不可沉溺于追逐理论“幻觉”。书中在阐释文本的同时，大量穿插对雅典政治体制变革过程的背景介绍，使雅典历史以更加鲜活和丰赡的面貌呈现在读者面前。