There are many ancient political philosophers who contributed to a broad discussion on the question of nature and convention. The relationship between the two can be seen in the writings of Plato and Aristotle among other ancient political philosophers. However, it should be duly noted that the first “historian” understood nature and convention in mutual relation. Thucydides provides a fascinating aspect of this relationship by having a very negative view of human nature and does so by trying to remain impartial and scientific (Ehrenberg 1968, 355). Throughout Thucydides' works, his belief that conventions are necessary to control nature due to the immense flaws of human nature becomes evident. To understand Thucydides, it is essential to first understand how he was attempting to write. He was writing the History of the Peloponnesian War in an attempt to be objective, which could be compared to the attempts of modern science. However, Thucydides' accounts provide insight into his personal opinions he held and considered during this bloody war. His view of human nature becomes clear in the origins of war, the Melian dialogue, the plague, the Mytylenean debate, the civil war in Corcyra, and the murder of Mycalessus. When one realizes Thucydides' low view of man, it becomes obvious how this interacts with the question of the need for convention when interacting with nature. His views help develop a variety of political realism that includes an understanding and appreciation for morality. Thucydides' Objectivity One of the important aspects of Thucydides' writings that must be understood to truly discover his position on this issue of nature and conventions would be his unique writing style. Wrote diff...... half of paper ......ical Theory 27 (April): 435-466.Saxonhouse, Arlene W. 1978. “Nature & Convention in Thucydides' History.” Politics 10 (Summer): 461-487. Thucydides. 1934. The Complete Writings of Thucydides: The Peloponnesian War. Trans. Giuseppe Gavorse. New York: Modern Library. Thucydides. [1959] 1988. The portable Greek historians: the essence of Herodotus, Thucydides, Xenophon, Polybius. Ed. MI Finley. New York: Penguin Books.Thucydides. 2000. Readings in Classical Political Thought. Ed. Peter J. Steinberger and trans. Paul Woodruff. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company. Vickers, Michael. 1999. "Alcibaldes and Melos: Thucydides 5.84-116". Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte 48 (3): 265-281. White, James Boyd. 1984. When they lose their meaning: constitutions and reconstitutions of language, character and community. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.