Robin Waterfield's new translation of Thucydides' 'The History of the Peloponnesian War' offers a fresh and accessible take on one of history's most influential works. Thucydides, an Athenian historian and former admiral, chronicled the devastating 27-year conflict between Athens and Sparta, a war that shaped the fate of ancient Greece and continues to inform modern studies of strategy and international relations.

Waterfield succeeds in making Thucydides' notoriously challenging prose more readable for contemporary audiences, balancing fidelity to the original text with clarity. His translation choices, such as rendering 'Hellenes' as 'Greeks' and smoothing out complex passages, help bridge the gap between ancient and modern readers. While some liberties are taken, such as informal contractions and interpretive phrasing, these are minor compared to the overall achievement.

The edition is enhanced by supplementary materials, including introductions, notes, maps, and an index, making the work approachable for both newcomers and seasoned scholars. Waterfield's translation stands as a distinguished addition to the canon, inviting today's readers to engage with a classic that remains a 'possession for all time.'