Historian

Quick Facts: Who was Historian?

Subject:

Historian

Known for:

A scholar who studies, researches, and writes about the past events of humanity.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

A historian is a scholar who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. Some historians are recognized by publications or training and experience. "Historian" became a professional occupation in the late nineteenth century as research universities were emerging in Germany. The professionalization process spread to Japan, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Russia, Scandinavia, Greece, Romania, and Latin America, with each adapting the German model with local modifications.

Career & Major Achievements

In the 19th century, scholars used to study ancient Greek and Roman historians to see how generally reliable they were. In recent decades, however, scholars have focused more on the constructions, genres, and meanings that ancient historians sought to convey to their audiences. History is always written with contemporary concerns and ancient historians wrote their histories in response to the needs of their times. Out of thousands of Greek and Roman historians, only the tiniest fraction's works survive and it is out of this small pool that ancient historians and ancient historiography are analyzed today. Modern historians of the ancient world have to deal with diverse types of evidence, which are debated more today than in the 19th century due to innovations in the field.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Ancient historians were very different from modern historians in terms of goals, documentation, sources, and methods. For instance, chronological systems were not widely used, their sources were often absorbed (traceability of such sources usually disappeared), and the goal of an ancient work was often to create political or military paradigms. It was only after the emergence of Christianity that philosophies of history grew in prominence due to the destiny of man from the Christian account. Epics such as Homer's works were used by historians and considered history even by Thucydides. Ancient orators like Cicero stated that their historiographical narrative was divided into 3 divisions: history, argument, and fable.

Notable Quotes by Historian

“Cicero stated that their historiographical narrative was divided into 3 divisions: history, argument, and fable.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Historian

True or False: “Ancient historians used chronological systems as widely and systematically as modern scholars do.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Ancient historians did not use chronological systems widely; their sources were often absorbed, leading to a loss of source traceability.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Historic site — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Official locations preserving political, military, cultural, or social history.
• Historical method — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The systematic techniques historians use to research and construct reliable accounts of the past.
• Historical race concepts — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A historical analysis showing how 'race' evolved from lineage to a discredited social construct.
• Historiography — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The study of how history is written, including its methods and interpretations.
• Historiography of science — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The study and analysis of how science's past has been written about by scholars.
• Hitomi Kobayashi — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Pioneering Japanese AV idol, foundational figure in adult video history.

Frequently Asked Questions about Historian