(Classical Association of the Middle West and South, 2021) Bruzzone, Rachel
This article argues that Thucydides represents the story of the Eurypontid
Spartan kings, Archidamus and Agis, as a coherent, meaningful narrative spanning his text.
Early on, Archidamus worries that his generation might leave war to their children as a kind
of inheritance. His son Agis then does inherit the war, more literally than any other figure.
The consequences of this malign bequest become clear as Agis comes to violate the
traditional value system represented by his father. Formal naming of both men throughout
their stories encourages the reader to view their appearances not as a series of isolated
events but as a single narrative depicting the corruption of their family.
