Bibliography
| Title: The Greek Historians Type: Book Year: 1997 Abstract: This book provides biographical information about the major Greek historians from Herodotus, the 'father of history', through to the histories written by Polybius. Along with fundamental biographical information , Luce takes up for each historian the specific subjects he treats and the methods he uses. Luce provides this information within a broader context of the literary, political, and cultural environment within which each historian worked. Luce also includes an effective explanation of the approach taken to writing history during this period. He describes the tradition of the ancient authors whereby it was considered important to avoid retelling what others had already described. According to Luce this tendency influenced each author's approach to writing history and their portrayal of histories previously written. When they wrote about areas of history already told they chose to rewrite and correct, and this prompted each to justify his retelling by voicing criticisms about the methods or skill of earlier writers. A valuable feature of the book is its provision of a contextual framework for significant issues that influenced the ancient historical authors. Within this framework Luce provides comment on thematic issues such as freedom and liberty, Hellenization, the rhetorical tradition, and audience. Luce's work provides an introduction to the tradition of the writing of Greek historians who focused on contemporary or recent events. He provides descriptions of the rhetorical, ethical, biographical, and patriotic histories prominent at the time. Overall, the author provides a sound introductory description of the major authors including Herodotus, Thucydides, Xenophon, several fragmentary historians, and Polybius. Keywords: historiography, Greece, Polybius |