Histoire de Thucydide, fils d'Olorus, traduite du grec par Pierre-Charles Lévesque

Pierre Charles Lévesque (1736-1812), historian, philosopher, translator. Originally trained as an engraver, Lévesque later studied philosophy and literature, gaining entry into the intellectual circles of the philosophes. In 1773, Lévesque was invited to Russia by Catherine II and appointed Professor of Fine Arts at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St Petersburg. During his stay, he developed a deep interest in Russian culture and institutions. Upon returning to France in 1780, he published his most influential work, Histoire de Russie (1782-1790, 5 vols.), which became the principal reference on Russian history for the French public throughout the 19th century. His approach combined Enlightenment historiography with empirical documentation, and he sought to interpret Russian development through the lens of civilization and progress. Lévesque also contributed to the French reception of ancient Greek thought through translations and commentaries on classical authors, including Plato and Xenophon. He was a member of the Institut de France from 1795 and held the chair of ancient history at the Collège de France. During the Revolution, he aligned with moderate republican ideals but avoided active political engagement. Cahiers du Monde Russe