What historical traditions did ancient Greek historiography lay for the development of later historiography?

(A), the general situation of ancient Greek historiography

1, the origin of classical historiography-epic

Ancient Greek epic:

Homer's Epic —— Heriat and Odyssey

In terms of handling methods, the epic attaches importance to the investigation of the reasons for the loss of things; In writing attitude, epic holds an objective attitude towards the enemies of the Greeks, which is the basic condition for the emergence of historiography; On the narrative object, the epic describes personnel and humanity.

2. The germination of ancient Greek historiography.

The development of ancient Greek philosophy had a great influence on historiography.

Heraclitus: You can't step into the same river twice.

Prota Golas: Man is the yardstick of everything, the yardstick of being and the yardstick of not being.

Miletus school: natural philosophy, primitive theory.

Form: abandon verse and adopt prose; Prose chroniclers appear as "historians"

② Herodotus and history

1, biographical introduction Herodotus (484-425 BC), the father of historiography.

2, "History" ("Persian War History", nine volumes) content:

The war between the Persian Empire and the Greek city-states in the 6th-5th century BC. This book is divided into two parts:

The first part describes the history, geography, nationality, customs and habits of Sikhism, Greek city-states and Persian Empire on the northern shore of the Black Sea, and describes the reasons for the outbreak of the Greek-Persian War.

The second part: mainly describes the process and results of the Greek-Persian war.

3. Herodotus' contribution to western historiography.

First, a new style of historical compilation-historical narrative style was created.

Features: flexible and continuous chronicle system, vivid and interesting narrative, combination of historical authenticity and artistry.

Significance: The universal genre of western historical works laid the foundation for later western historical narrative works.

B. Historical materials are widely used and rich-make full use of various documents, epics, archives, inscriptions and predecessors' works.

(3) Thucydides and the Peloponnesian war history.

1, Life Introduction-Thucydides (about 460-396 BC), born in an aristocratic family in Athens, personally participated in the Peloponnesian War. After the war, he wrote the History of the Peloponnesian War based on his personal experience.

2, the peloponnesian war ***8 volumes.

Content: It recorded the frontal military conflict between the opposing sides of the Peloponnesian War, the secret contest of the state of war entering "peacetime" and the intrigue between the allies, showing a complicated situation.

Status: a political and military history, representing the highest achievement of western classical historiography in ancient Greece.

3. Thucydides' historical achievements:

First, the principle of scientific historical data processing

"If those who want to know clearly the time that happened in the past and the similar time that will happen in the future (because human nature is always human nature) think that my book has some benefits, then I will be satisfied. My job is not only to cater to the temporary hobbies of the masses, but to stick to it forever. "

Take a serious attitude and the principle of seeking truth from facts, and pay attention to collecting historical materials, especially first-hand raw materials.

Put forward strict principles of historical criticism and attach importance to analysis and textual research. Get rid of the rough and the fine, get rid of the false and keep the true. Try to make this book as informative as possible.

B, historical narrative art

Objective, calm, vivid and true.

Style: historical narrative style is adopted, and chronological and narrative are combined. Herodotus' creative style tends to be perfect.

C, objectivism attitude

Try not to mix personal positions when writing, and don't trust the oral history of people with positions.

D, simple historical materialism

1, humanistic view of history-separates human history from the state of unity of god and man, and thinks that the success or failure of history is determined by personnel.

2. Try to reveal the true causal relationship of historical events-pay attention to discussing the material causes of historical events and make a profound analysis of major historical events. Thucydides interpreted human nature as the driving force of historical development, which made the humanistic view of history reach its peak.

3. Try to explain the reasons of historical development from the perspective of economic relations-Thucydides was the first historian in ancient Greece to realize that economic factors would affect the historical process. Prove that the rise and fall of politics and the success or failure of the military are all related to the economy.

4. The influence of Thucydides' historical achievements:

Thucydides' spirit of seeking truth and the compilation system of recording political history have become a long-term historical tradition followed by western historians and have a far-reaching impact on later generations.

Thucydides' historiography marks the establishment of the tradition of western military and political history, and the establishment of this historical model has had a far-reaching impact on western historiography.

Second, the history of Greek and Roman times-Polybius

1, biographical introduction-Polybius (204 BC-65438 BC+022 BC) wrote a general history (Roman history).

2. Historical thoughts and theories:

First, the real thought and the way to get the truth.

The essence of history: the record and explanation of people's past activities

Objective: To achieve real records and provide lessons and action guides for those in need.

1. Discuss the significance of truth to historiography and attach importance to the social value of historiography. "In historical works, truth should be above everything else." Polybius

2. Summarize the way to get the truth: As for the source of historical materials, he regards direct observation and direct experience as the most reliable first-hand information, pays attention to on-the-spot investigation and uses literature; Try to collect historical materials; Explore the cause of the event, especially the authenticity of the cause.

B, the historical development concept-the whole cycle theory

He believes that the quality of a country's political system is one of the decisive factors for a country to be strong and win the war. The theory of overall circulation is metaphysical and constructed by thought, not an objective fact of summing up experience. The whole is man-made, and it will also delay the decline or accelerate the progress or keep it for a long time because of the existence of people.

C, writing style-simple style, in order to deepen the theme of the text, straightforward, not attractive to ordinary readers.

3. Status: Politibia was the last great historian in the Greek era and the first great historian in the Roman era, which had a direct influence on later Roman historiography. Polybius's historiography embodies the tradition of ancient Greek historiography, especially successfully develops the basic spirit of Thucydides' historiography. He embodies the influence of Greek culture on Rome, and is also the epitome of the initial exchange of Greek and Roman culture.

History is closely related to memory, which is produced under specific historical conditions. In my opinion, investigating the development of ancient Greek historiography will help us to touch the development track of western historiography and deepen our understanding of western historiography. At the same time, it is also conducive to strengthening our own historical theory level and self-cultivation.