Authority and Tradition in Ancient Historiography
Author | : John Marincola |
Publisher | : Cambridge University Press |
Total Pages | : 379 |
Release | : 1997-07-24 |
ISBN-10 | : 9780521480192 |
ISBN-13 | : 0521480191 |
Rating | : 4/5 (92 Downloads) |
Download or read book Authority and Tradition in Ancient Historiography written by John Marincola and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 1997-07-24 with total page 379 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.