How have perspectives on the meaning of history changed over time?

The first 200 words of this essay...

Sarah Whiteway 14/11/02

How have perspectives on the meaning of history changed over time?

Perspectives on the meaning of history have varied greatly overtime. As Keith Jenkins explains in his work, 'Re-thinking History', there are two clear distinctions of history: firstly there is history as a reference to the past events and secondly, history as the records and writings of the past. In recognising that history, 'is a discourse about, but categorically different from, the past', a clearer understanding of what history is may be reached. Additionally, in acknowledging this, one may hope to appreciate the changing perspectives of history over time. These changing perspectives can be attributed to common factors such as changing ideologies, changing experiences and changes in the means of recording history.

The Greek historians, among them Herodotus, Thucydides, Polybius and Tacitus, display distinct perspectives of history than that of contemporary historians. That is not to say that their historiography is not useful, for it reflects the understanding of the importance oh history at that time and identifies the evolution and development of historical perspectives over time. This is especially evident in the writings of Herodotus, the 'Father of History' as he acknowledges history