Cratippus of Athens (Κράτιππος ὁ Ἀθηναῖος) was an Athenian historian of the 4th century BCE. He is known primarily as a continuator of Thucydides’ unfinished history of the Peloponnesian War. According to Dionysius of Halicarnassus, Cratippus took up the narrative from where Thucydides’ text breaks off in 411 BCE and brought it down to at least the Battle of Cnidus in 394 BCE [2]. Plutarch confirms he was a contemporary of Thucydides and an Athenian historian, but no further biographical details survive [1].

Works His historical work, likely titled Hellenica, is lost and survives only in fragments. It continued the account of the Peloponnesian War and its immediate aftermath from 411 to 394 BCE [1][2].

Significance Cratippus represents the immediate post-Thucydidean effort to complete the history of the war, alongside figures like Xenophon. Dionysius of Halicarnassus notes his plain style was an attempt to imitate Thucydides, though he judged Cratippus inferior to Xenophon in this endeavor [2]. His inclusion by ancient critics marks him as a notable figure in the early development of Greek historiography.

Sources 1. Perseus Digital Library (Plutarch, Cimon, 12.6): http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0065%3Achapter%3D12%3Asection%3D6 2. Perseus Digital Library (Dionysius of Halicarnassus, On Thucydides, 16): http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0568%3Asection%3D16