Writing Ancient History

How do ancient historians pursue their craft? From the evidence of coins, pottery shards, remains of buildings, works of art, and, above all, literary texts--all of which have survived more or less accidentally from antiquity--they fashion works of history. But how exactly do they go about reconstructing and representing the past? How should history be written? These and related questions are the subject of Neville Morley's engaging introduction to the theory and philosophy of history. Intended for students and teachers not only of ancient history but of historiography, the philosophy of history, and classics, his book addresses the implications of debates over methodological and theoretical issues for the practice of ancient history. At the present time, Morley says, students of ancient history are left to come to their own understanding of the field through a process of trial and error. In his view, too many professors regard questions of theory and methodology... as pointless distractions from the business of actually doing history. Worse, [these questions] may even be perceived as a threat to the subject. Asserting that more attention must be given to fundamental matters, Morley considers such topics as the nature of historical narrative, style in historical writing, the use and abuse of sources, and the reasons for studying history.

Author: Neville Morley
Publisher: Cornell University Press
Published: 07/19/1999
Pages: 176
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.46lbs
Size: 8.48h x 5.35w x 0.55d
ISBN: 9780801486333

About the Author

Neville Morley is Lecturer in Ancient Economic History and Historical Theory at the University of Bristol and the author of Theories, Models, and Concepts in Ancient History and Metropolis and Hinterland: The City of Rome and the Italian Economy, 200 b.c.-a.d. 200.