Authority and Tradition in Ancient Historiography

by John Marincola

Overview

This book is a study of the various claims to authority made by the ancient Greek and Roman historians throughout their histories, and of the way in which the tradition of ancient historiography shaped their responses and molded the presentation of themselves to their audience. Guiding them in their claims to be authoritative was the tradition of the founders and best practitioners of history, Herodotus and Thucydides.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521545785
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	07/08/2004
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	380
Sales rank:	618,399
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.83(d)

Table of Contents

Introduction; 1. The call to history; 2. The historian's inquiry; 3. The historian's character; 4. The historian's deeds; 5. The 'lonely' historian; Conclusion; Appendices.

Editorial Reviews

"A major contribution to the study of ancient historiography that belongs in all university libraries." s.M.Burstein, Choice

"One strength of the book is its range; Marincola covers narrative historians from Herodotus to Ammianus Marcellinus and treats those whose works survive only in fragments as well as those for whom we have complete or substantial works. A useful appendix lists forty-eight authors, thier works and the periods they treated. The author addresses a scholarly audience, and the book is likely to appeal to those whose interests are more literary than strictly historical." Carolun Nelson, History: Review of Books

"This book essential for all university libraries and highly recommended for any scholar interested in ancient historiography." Religious Studies Review

"This is an excellent book." Phoenix

"Marinocola's arguments, presented in easy-to-follow, jargon-free prose, are carefully argued, sensible, and full of insight." - Sophia Papaioannou, The University of Cyprus

From the Publisher