It is a testament to the enduring intrigue of the subject that even today the events of the Peloponnesian War are studied for what they can teach about diplomacy, strategy, and tactics. Philip de Souza's book reveals the darker side of Classical Greek civilization--from the horrific effects of overcrowding and the plague on the Athenian population to the vicious civil strife that often erupted in cities allied with Athens or Sparta. This volume offers vivid and at times disturbing insights into the impact of warfare on the people who are celebrated as the founders of Western civilization.