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Why did Thucydides believe his history of the Peloponnesian War would remain useful?

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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 believed his History of the Peloponnesian War would remain useful because he viewed history as a diagnostic science capable of revealing patterns in human behavior. He argued that because human nature is constant, the political and moral crises he documented—such as the effects of civil strife, the corruption of the body politic, and the consequences of unchecked imperialism—would inevitably recur in similar ways throughout history.12

Rather than writing to satisfy the tastes of a contemporary audience, Thucydides aimed to create a work that would last forever. By providing a clear, accurate, and clinical analysis of past events, he intended to offer a resource for future statesmen to understand and navigate the recurring challenges of power and conflict. His commitment to this analytical approach is evident in his detailed documentation, which is often corroborated by contemporary epigraphic evidence—documents recorded on stone—that confirm the reliability of his narrative. Ultimately, he sought to provide a framework for recognizing the symptoms of political decline, ensuring his work served as a timeless guide for those seeking to understand the past to better anticipate the future.12