Philosophy of Just War in Ancient Greece and Causes of War in Thucydides by Dr Iacovos Kareklas

Philosophy of Just War in Ancient Greece and Causes of War in Thucydides

Dr Iacovos Kareklas

The aim of the present article is, firstly, to unearth the philosophical grounds of just war in classical Greece. Secondly, to indicate specifically that neither the causes nor the theoretical grounds of the Peloponnesian War in the History of Thucydides are in conformity with previously established grounds of warfare. Thirdly, it shall be proved that the philosophical underpinnings of war in Thucydides have formed the theoretical and legal basis of contemporary kinds of military intervention in International Law. In this context, the contribution of Thucydides in the Theory of the International Law of War will be duly emphasized.