Hellenic Society event: Power Politics: Thucydides to Trump. The exercise of power internationally through the ages
Tuesday 22 September, 2026, 7pm
The Friends Room, Hellenic Centre, 16-18 Paddington Street, London W1U 5AS
“The strong do what they have the power to do, and the weak fall into line.” (Thuc. Hist. V. 89).
Was that the prevailing view in the Ancient World, and if so what lessons do the results carry for politics today ? What international ethical or legal constraints have societies tried to place on raw power, and with what success ? This event will explore these questions, drawing on our panel’s expertise in international relations, both ancient and modern.
with
Chris Preble, Senior Fellow and Director, Reimagining US Grand Strategy, Stimson Center
Mick Cox, Founding Director of LSE IDEAS, Emeritus Professor of International Relations, London School of Economics
Paul Cartledge, A.G. Leventis Senior Research Fellow, Emeritus A.G. Leventis Professor of Greek Culture, Clare College, Cambridge
Polly Low, Professor in the Department of Classics and Ancient History, Durham University
Valentina Arena, Camden Professor of Ancient History, Brasenose College, Oxford
Patrick Porter, Professor of International Security and Strategy, Birmingham University
Chair: Margaret Mountford, President, Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies
All are welcome but please book a place in advance: email: secretary@hellenicsociety.org.uk
Note: this is not a Classical Association event – please contact the organisers directly with any enquiries.
