ancient historioriography pt 2

• Ancient Greeks


  • Considered to be the pioneers of historiography
  • Witnessed the emergence of subjects like geography, philosophy, and science
• Greek historians like Herodotus and Thucydides

  1. Narrating the events in 500 BCE by studying the sources

  2. Wrote on subjects such as wars, politics, society, and culture of different Greek city-states, about the Persians, and the Romans
• Greek historians


  • Introduced the method of observation, inquiry, and cross-examination of sources to produce authentic information
  • Their writings were systematic and events were presented chronologically
  • Credited for writing the first universal history
• Ancient Romans


  • Continued historical writings after the decline of the Greek civilization
  • Influenced by the Greek method of writing
• Roman historians

  Used personal observations, eye witness accounts, and written documents
• Roman historians are often referred to as imitators
• Roman historiography


  • Influenced by the Greek style but had its own characteristics
  • Originated from the Second Punic War (c. 218 - c.201 BCE)
  • Interested in political and moral themes, focused on descriptive style and wrote in Latin
  • Considered history as a moral teacher with a purpose to teach people be a good citizen