Histos (Journal)
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Ch. 2. Being There: Three Examples of Brief Dialogue in Herodotus and Thucydides
No full textThough the idea of ‘eyewitness history’ held a central importance from the beginning, Greek historical writing did not typically feature the explicit citation of evidence provided by an eyewitness to an event. Rather, the Greek historians utilised a narrative style which elided any conceptual distance between the reader and the action. This narrative fiction raises the possibility of a different meaning for ‘eyewitness history’, one that shifts emphasis from the sources to the audience. In this essay, I examine three passages containing direct speech found in Herodotus and Thucydides which stand out from their surroundings in various ways. I suggest that the notion of ‘eyewitness history’ in its more reader-orientated sense may help explain the uncommon nature of these brief dialogues.
Published in Andrew G. Scott,, ed., Studies in Contemporary Historiography (HISTOS Supplement 15), p. 15-37
Ch. 1. Introduction: The Methodology, Politics, and Value of Contemporary Historiography
No full textPublished in Andrew G. Scott,, ed., Studies in Contemporary Historiography (HISTOS Supplement 15), p. 1-13
Ammianus: Soldier or Author? (on M. Hanaghan and D. Woods, edd., Ammianus Marcellinus from Soldier to Author)
No full textA New Edition of the Wonders Beyond Thule (on H. Schmedt, ed., Antonius Diogenes: Die unglaublichen Dinge jenseits von Thule)
Full text linkThe Worldwide Reception of Alexander (on R. Stoneman, ed., A History of Alexander the Great in World Culture)
No full textA Commentary on Diodorus and the Diadochi (on A. Meeus, The History of the Diadochoi in Book XIX of Diodoros’ Bibliothēkē: A Historical and Historiographical Commentary)
No full textNew Ways of Reading Valerius Maximus (on J. Murray and D. Wardle, edd., Reading by Example: Valerius Maximus and the Historiography of Exempla)
No full textCh. 5. Sallust and the ‘Modern’ Lie
No full textSallust’s Histories confront the ‘modern’ organised political lie and demonstrate that historical truth can only be preserved by those outside the political sphere. The speech of the historian and tribune Licinius Macer demonstrates the post-Sullan apathy towards truth. As a historian Macer might be an independent critic, but as a politician he cannot overcome the corrosive effects of organised lying. Macer’s failure reinforces Sallust’s assertion that his own removal from politics is key to wresting the truth from the triumvirs. If the historian’s role is that of truth-teller, the ideal historian is not only removed from public life but also uses history to respond to contemporary events and concerns.
Published in Andrew G. Scott,, ed., Studies in Contemporary Historiography (HISTOS Supplement 15), p. 107-131
Embedded Speech and the Embodied Speaker in Roman Historiography
Full text linkThis paper considers the presentation of speech performance in Roman historiography. It proposes the use of media theory to analyse the different medial elements of performed speech in Roman rhetorical culture. It identifies traces of performance in written speech and how similar traces are exploited in the historian’s composition of speeches and narrative frames to speech. These traces are analysed as instances of ‘intermediality’ which help to present speech as a form of historical action. The implications of this for history as a written and a recited text are briefly reviewed
The Historian Dionysius of Halicarnassus and the Gods
Full text linkThis article looks in detail at Dionysius’ presentation of the role of what he calls ‘the daimonion’ in human affairs; he sees it often at work, usually in support of justice and thus, in the main, of Rome; he regularly sees providence guiding Roman fortunes, but also deplores contemporary neglect for the guidance provided by divination. It notes the traditional stories that he rejects as ‘myth-like’ (μυθώδη), but also the many about which he is less sceptical than his near contemporary Livy. Like another near contemporary Diodorus Siculus, Dionysius represents a bounce back from hard-headed Polybian scepticism; but he is reluctant to accept myths that offend against an exalted conception of the divine nature