In Thucydides' presentation of events and their interpretation, there is nothing metaphysical. He insists that human nature ("the human") is the stable factor that drives historical events.

From superficial phenomena, he seeks the causes that operate beneath the surface of events. Thucydides' work carries the stamp of the philosopher Anaxagoras' thought: "the appearance of the visible phenomena" (from the superficial "appearance" that can be seen, we can perceive what is not visible).

Moreover, the man who acts for Thucydides is primarily the politician, the dynamic citizen of the specific city, followed by the generals. Capable politicians and generals are those who can measure the strengths and weaknesses of their city, as well as calculate the strengths of their opponents.

[Excerpt from the text on the back cover of the edition]