The Greek Historians (Paperback)

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.

General

Imprint:	Routledge
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Release date:	1997
First published:	1997
Authors:	T. James Luce
Dimensions:	216 x 138 x 10mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	168
ISBN-13:	978-0-415-10593-4
Categories:	Books > Humanities > History > Theory & methods > Historiography Books > Humanities > History > World history > BCE to 500 CE Books > Humanities > History > World history > 500 to 1500 Books > Humanities > History > European history > General Books > History > European history > General Books > History > Theory & methods > Historiography Books > History > World history > 500 to 1500 Books > History > World history > BCE to 500 CE Promotions
LSN:	0-415-10593-5
Barcode:	9780415105934

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