Historians:
Herodotus:
Herodotus is often credited as being the ‘father of history’. He was the first historian to attempt to explain events scientifically, without ascribing it to fate, chance or the gods. He was also the first to write down history for the sake of history and not entertai...
Herodotus:
Herodotus is often credited as being the ‘father of history’. He was the first
historian to attempt to explain events scientifically, without ascribing it to
fate, chance or the gods. He was also the first to write down history for the
sake of history and not entertainment, although his work was designed to
be spoken, thus his work is more objective than other works at the time,
such as Homer’s. Herodotus wrote about events that were still in living
memory, so his sources are more reliable. Herodotus also visited many of
the places he wrote about.
Many modern historians say that Herodotus still had traces of the
Homeric style, but there are key differences; he wrote in prose, not a poetic
style as Homer did, Herodotus’ subjects were in living memory.
Herodotus travelled far, interviewing many people, trying to get two
or three different perspectives. However, he has been accused of merely
making up sources to fit his judgements, and many of his judgements are
anachronistic.
Herodotus embarked on his research to “preserve the memory of the
past by putting on record the astonishing achievements of both our own and
other peoples”.
Thucydides
Thucydides was also writing history for education and not entertainment,
and is hailed by some as the father of “scientific history”. Thucydides did not
include any fantastical stories. He drew from multiple sources, attempting to
find the commonalities between them in order to write an objective and
reliable account. Unlike Herodotus, his work was not designed to be spoken,
and was written about more recent events.
Thucydides main motivation for writing about the Peloponnesian War
was that it ‘would be great and noteworthy above all the wars that had gone
before’. Thucydides uses speeches as well in his works, attempting to write
them as accurately as possible.
Thucydides is often considered the ‘father of scientific history,’ since
he rigorously checked all of his sources. Thucydides wanted to analyse the
, causes of events, not just to recount them. In this he is one of the earliest
historians to attempt to teach a lesson with history.
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