The Greek Historians / Edition 1

by T. James Luce

Overview

The Greeks invented history as a literary genre in the fifth century B.C. The first historians owed much to Homer and adopted his vivid and direct style in narrating historical events. Yet, despite the influence of Homer the birth of history was basically a reaction against mythical accounts of the past. Homer wrote about war and travel in foreign lands, in the distant and mythical past. In contrast, the Greek historians of the fifth century wrote about contemporary or very recent events, where eye witnesses could be interviewed and facts checked.
The Greek Historians follows the development of history from Herodotus, via Thucydides, Xenophon and Polybius, until the Hellenistic age. It introduces the individual writers and their topics, yet it also outlines their attitudes to historiography and their criticisms of each other. Such themes as the uses and value of truth and causation are traced, as well as the growing constraints on free speech under Hellenistic monarchs and the Romans. Written in an accessible and captivating manner, with suggestions for further reading, this book serves as a lucid introduction to Greek historians and writing of history.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415105934
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	01/30/1997
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	168
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Preface and Abbreviations Chapter One. Before History Chapter Two. Herodotus and Historia Chapter Three. Father of History Chapter Four. Thucydides: Subject and Methods Chapter Five. Thucydides: Science and Tragedy Chapter Six. Fourth Century and Hellenistic Historiography Xenophon Fragmentary Historians The Varieties of History Rhetorical History Ethical History Biographical History Patriotic History Tragic History Chapter Seven. Polybius Further Reading

Editorial Reviews

'One of the great merits of L.'s book is that he covers in summary many of the major academic issue raised by the Greek Historians. He also discusses a number of extracts from the major writers, providing teachers with a taste of some important texts. Teachers will be glad to hear that this is a book that should encourage students to read the Greek Historians themselves.' - Matthew Clark, JACT Review

From the Publisher