Authority and tradition in ancient historiography / John Marincola.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Marincola, John, author.

Series:

ACLS Humanities E-Book.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

History, Ancient--Historiography.

History, Ancient.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xvi, 361 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

1st pbk. ed.

Other Title:

Authority & Tradition in Ancient Historiography

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 1997.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This book is a study of the various claims to authority made by the ancient Greek and Roman historians throughout their histories and is the first to examine all aspects of the historian's self-presentation. It shows how each historian claimed veracity by imitating, modifying, and manipulating the traditions established by his predecessors. Beginning with a discussion of the tension between individuality and imitation, it then categorises and analyses the recurring style used to establish the historian's authority: how he came to write history; the qualifications he brought to the task; the inquiries and efforts he made in his research; and his claims to possess a reliable character. By detailing how each historian used the tradition to claim and maintain his own authority, the book contributes to a better understanding of the complex nature of ancient historiography.

Contents:

The scope and subject of the book

Authority

Tradition

History's place and audience

The greatness of the subject

Decisions and dreams

Dedications and the desires of friends

Glory and renown

Eyes, ears and contemporary history

Closed societies and privileged access

Improving the past

Myth and history

The importance of character

Experience

Effort

Impartiality

Praise and self-praise

Person and perspective

Strategies of self-presentation

The uses of polemic

Polemic and self-definition

Continuity and culmination

App. I. Table of historians

App. II. Name and nationality

App. III. Isocrates on autopsy and inquiry?

App. IV. Variant versions.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Includes bibliographical references (pages 293-315) and indexes.

ISBN:

9780511092787

0511092784

9780511584831

0511584830

9780511002298

0511002297

Publisher Number:

2027/heb04893 hdl