We Greeks believe that a man who takes no part in public affairs is not merely lazy, but good for nothing

We do not know how these historical figures actually spoke. Thucydides admired Pericles approving of his power over the people and showing a marked distaste for the demagogues who followed him. During this time he conducted important research for his history having claimed that he pursued the project as he thought it would be one of the greatest wars waged among the Greeks in terms of scale.

He has also been called the father of the school of political realism which views the relations between nations as based on might rather than right. His History of the Peloponnesian War recounts the 5th century BC war between Sparta and Athens to the year 411 BC. His text is still studied at advanced military colleges worldwide and the Melian dialogue remains a seminal work of international relations theory.