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How did Thucydides evaluate eyewitness accounts of the Peloponnesian War?

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Neo-Assyrian clay tablet from the 7th century BC inscribed with dense cuneiform writing, known as the Flood Tablet from the Epic of Gilgamesh, displayed in the British Museum. — epigraphy The Flood Tablet, 11th cuneiform tablet in a series relating the Gilgamesh epic, from Nineveh, 7th century bce; in the British Museum, London.

Thucydides approached eyewitness accounts with significant skepticism, recognizing that observers were often unreliable due to the influence of bias or faulty memory. In his History of the Peloponnesian War, he explicitly stated that he did not rely on the first story he encountered or his own general impressions.12

When documenting events he did not personally witness, Thucydides conducted thorough inquiries, carefully cross-referencing reports from multiple sources. Even for battles he observed himself, he performed rigorous investigations to ensure accuracy. His commitment to this critical method was driven by a desire to establish a scientific, diagnostic approach to history, aiming to provide a record that would be useful for understanding human nature and future events, rather than one designed for immediate public appeal.21

His historical accuracy is further supported by contemporary epigraphic evidence, such as documents recorded on stone, which often confirm the details of his narrative.3