Why did Thucydides include speeches by political and military leaders in his history?

Thucydides included speeches by political and military leaders in his History because they were essential for explaining the motives and ambitions of the leading men and states involved in the conflict. He viewed the study of the human mind during wartime as one of his primary historical aims, and these speeches provided a direct method to convey those internal perspectives.12

While Thucydides acknowledged the difficulty of accurately recalling what was said, he composed the speeches in his own words to reflect the general sense of the original addresses, ensuring they remained appropriate to the occasion. Through these rhetorical devices, he was able to explore complex themes such as the moral implications of power, the nature of human nature, and the political effects of civil strife. By utilizing both direct speeches and indirect narrative, he provided a comprehensive analysis of the imperialism of Athens and the varying behaviors of states as the war progressed.132