For the whole earth is the tomb of famous men; not only are they commemorated by columns and inscriptions in their own country, but in foreign lands there dwells also an unwritten memorial of them, graven not on stone but in the hearts of men. Make them your examples, and, esteeming courage to be freedom and freedom to be happiness, do not weigh too nicely the perils of war." [Funeral Oration of Pericles]

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.