Kindlehighlight Quote by Thucydides
““Difficulty of subsistence made the invaders reduce the numbers of the army to a point at which it might live on the country during the prosecution of the war.””
About This Quote
Source Book: History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides, 5th century BC
Logistical strain forces invading forces to shrink their armies so they can sustain themselves locally during prolonged conflict.
In simple terms: Armies must be small enough to live off the land.
Key Takeaway
Plan supply lines before campaigns.
Themes
logistics
war
resource management
Mood
pragmatic
analytical
Type
historical
military
When to use this quote
- ancient sieges
- modern expeditionary forces
- resource‑scarce campaigns
Key Concepts
strategic adaptation
military economics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do modern armies handle supply in hostile terrain?
- What alternatives exist when local resources fail?
A Different Perspective
Assumes local resources are sufficient, which may not hold.
