Paul Woodruff is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin. His main goal is to make the ethical and political thinking of ancient Greeks accessible to modern readers. His work includes books on the virtues of reverence and justice, as well as on the ideas behind democracy. He has translated most of Thucydides' History, several Platonic dialogues, and a number of ancient Greek plays. He served in the U.S. Army as an officer during the American war in Vietnam, in 1969-70, gaining experience of both physical and moral danger. That experience informs this book.