DQ T2
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School
Grand Canyon University *
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Course
306
Subject
History
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
3
Uploaded by CoachAnteater4130
Using the Topic 2 Resource as a source, answer the following questions: What significant contributions did the Greeks make to the development of historical thinking? Speak to specific ancient historians and their perspectives. Do we see these developments made by the ancient historians continuing to affect later historians as they endeavor to interpret the past? Explain your position.
According to Ancient Historians through the Enlightenment
, the Greek’s play an important role in history and historiography in that they were the first to stray away from explaining occurrences as divine intervention and provided accounts in
a continuous manner moving from poetry to prose (Grand Canyon University [GCU] HIS-306 Topic 2 [T2], n.d.). Herodotus wrote versions of the wars between the Greeks and Persian from first-hand observers as well as those who fought in the wars. His contributions to history, as a discipline, extend to researching official
records and archives (GCU, n.d.). This focus to human explanations for events is still reasoned today. Thucydides created an intricate system he used to write the Peloponnesian War. Insightfully, he thought having detailed versions would help future leaders or rulers from making unnecessary mistakes, building stronger societies. They were both correct; however, neither one wrote about past happenings. They focused on current episodes. With this assessment of writing detailed accounts from more than one perspective, they caught the attention of the Romans who adopted part of the Greek methodology. Continuing these developments to historiography, Sallust, wrote about Roman battles and its political structure, including the corruption of leaders as the cause of societal decay (GCU, n.d.). Tacitus adopted the Greek design of writing in a narrative form. The main difference between Greek and Roman accounts of history is the Greeks remained detached and objective, whereas the Romans designated blame for occurrences, making writing more personal.
From these, St. Augustine implemented a dualistic style where one side recognized divine intervention and another that credited man with both success and failure (GCU, n.d.). One more pertinent contribution made by Augustine was he wrote history in a linear technique, and much of the world see’s history through these lenses.
The Renaissance gave us a strong foundation for primary sources. It also focused on individuals and institutions of political influence to understand past actions. During this time, Machiavelli made people the focus of his writings; though, some are considered crass given his propensity towards classes of people.
Since his focus was for the people, but about governmental systems, the Reformation movement grew lending individualistic thoughts to the Bible. This is significant as it was widely accepted only the Church could interpret the Bible, even with rampant corruption. The Church and the Reformers both relied on history to sway people using past actions (history). Fracturing Augustine’s universal slant, the relativity of these thinkers divided camps into secular and religious sects; though, without it, professorships may have been delayed (GCU, n.d.). Historians elevated this age of reason to the detriment of earlier historical stages. Voltaire brough history forward with nature, science, art, and politics, which coincided with German historians’ thoughts of including social, economics, and culture (GCU, n.d.).
Many of these thought processes or perspectives are still used today. History is an
honorable discipline, and its experts are held to specific standards. Had it not begun so long ago, it would be difficult to take past, especially ancient, records seriously. It is because of these meticulous methods that Biblical events are grounded by other works in history, giving us reasonable evidence that all accounts are true.
References
“Ancient Historians through the Enlightenment.” HIS-306 Topic 2 Resource.
How has historiography evolved between the Middle Ages and the Reformation area? What impact has the Enlightenment have on early modern historiography?
St. Augustine implemented a dualistic style where one side recognized divine intervention and another that credited man with both success and failure (GCU, n.d.). One more pertinent contribution made by Augustine was he wrote history in a linear technique, and much of the world see’s history through these lenses. The Renaissance gave us a strong foundation for primary sources. It also focused on individuals and institutions of political influence to understand past actions. During this time, Machiavelli made people the focus of his writings; though, some are considered crass given his propensity towards classes of people.
Since his focus was for the people, but about governmental systems, the Reformation movement grew lending individualistic thoughts to the Bible. This is significant as it was widely accepted only the Church could interpret the Bible, even with rampant corruption. The Church and the Reformers both relied on history to sway people using past actions (history). Fracturing Augustine’s universal slant, the relativity of these thinkers divided camps into secular and religious sects; though, without it, professorships may have been delayed (GCU, n.d.). Historians elevated this age of reason to the detriment of earlier historical stages. Voltaire brough history forward with nature, science, art, and politics, which coincided with German historians’ thoughts of including social, economics, and culture (GCU, n.d.).
References
“Ancient Historians through the Enlightenment.” HIS-306 Topic 2 Resource.
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