I Am Aware Of The Enthusiastic State Of Mind In Which People Are Persuaded To Enter Upon A War Is Not Retained When It Comes To Action - And That People's Minds Are Altered By The Course Of Events... There Is Often No More Logic In The Course Of Events Than There Is In The Plans Of Men - And This Is Why We Usually Blame Our Luck When Things Happen In Ways That We Did Not Expect. P.118-119 Book 1 Chapter 40

One of the ealiest works of recorded history, this is a historical account of the Peloponnesian War (431–404 BC), which was fought between the Peloponnesian League (led by Sparta) and the Delian League (led by Athens). It was written by Thucydides, an Athenian historian who also happened to serve as an Athenian general during the war.  The History is divided into eight books.