The impact of Pride and Prejudice as reflected in Ancient Greek Historiography.

Abstract

The study includes an in-depth analysis of the Historical texts attributed to Herodotus, who is considered as the father of Historiography and Thucydides. The subject matter dealt by both is Greek History. Though there is not so much difference in time, when placed historical sequence in time, they are quite different in the conception of history, approach as well as their intention. Hence the works belonging to them seem poles apart. Herodotus seems to relate ‘his story’, drawing upon various versions of what had happened according to various sources. The choice he leaves to the reader, which came under much criticism later. Thucydides had in most cases taken the choice upon himself. But the concentration in this paper was to reflect on the subjective approach that could be allotted to each. In relating incidents and facts regarding one’s own, to what extent have they been independent? And to what extent had prejudice affected their history writing? If so in what manner and to what extent have they had an influence? Above all had the influence been intentional or was it unintentional? - These are the questions propounded in this paper.