The Historians of Greece and Rome (Paperback)

Stephen Usher

ISBN 10: 086292152X / ISBN 13: 9780862921521

Published by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, London, 1997

About this Item

Paperback. Our understanding of Greek and Roman civilization is in considerable measure a product of the intelligence and literary skills of its historians. Writing at different times and from different vantage points, the surviving historians illustrate the influences to which the genre was subjected in the course of its development. After Herodotus had established history as an independent form of literature, Thucydides defined its purpose and set a high standard of scientific and literary skill. Xenophon introduced new and abiding characteristics and Polybius repudiated the influences of rhetoric and drama and introduced Hellenistic qualities and an new focus - Rome. Sallust, Caesar, Tacitus and Livy among others, commented on the affairs of the Roman Republic and Empire. This book provides a survey of the historians of the ancient Greek and Roman world, exporing their surviving work, style and influences. Our understanding of Greek and Roman civilization is in considerable measure a product of the literary skills of its historians. Writing at different times from different viewpoints, they illustrate developments and influences. This book surveys the work of these historians. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780862921521

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Historians of Greece and Rome (Paperback)
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, London
• Publication Date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 086292152X
• ISBN 13: 9780862921521
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Our understanding of Greek and Roman civilization is in considerable measure a product of the intelligence and literary skills of its historians. Writing at different times and from different vantage points, the surviving historians illustrate the influences to which the genre was subjected in the course of its development. After Herodotus had established history as an independent form of literature, Thucydides defined its purpose and set a high standard of scientific and literary skill. Xenophon introduced new and abiding characteristics and Polybius repudiated the influences of rhetoric and drama and introduced Hellenistic qualities and an new focus - Rome. Sallust, Caesar, Tacitus and Livy among others, commented on the affairs of the Roman Republic and Empire. This book provides a survey of the historians of the ancient Greek and Roman world, exporing their surviving work, style and influences.

About the Author

Stephen Usher was Senior Lecturer in Classics at Royal Holloway College, London University.