Engaging with the Past, c.250-c.650

This book explores how modern historiography has adapted to the changing ways of seeing and recording the past between c.250 and c.650,recasting the period as 'late antiquity' and engaging with the past through new genres such as chronicles,epitomes,and church histories.

Format: Hardback
Length: 226 pages
Publication date: 18 April 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Between c.250 and c.650, a profound transformation occurred in the way the past was perceived, documented, and interpreted for a contemporary audience. The key elements of this historiographical revolution became more apparent only since the 1970s, when the period spanning both East and West was reclassified as "late antiquity." However, the field of historiography has faced challenges in adapting to this new scholarly landscape. The traditional model of decline and fall, which served as a natural explanatory framework for cultural and literary developments, has given way to a recognition of continuity and transformation. Moreover, the emergence of "late antiquity" coincided with a methodological shift brought about by the "linguistic turn," which had a profound impact on historical writing across different eras.

This book aims to explore the development of modern understanding of how the ways of seeing and recording the past changed during this period of adjustment to emerging social, religious, and cultural developments. Its central theme is how modern historiography has evolved over the past half-century to engage with the past between c.250 and c.650.

As explained in this book, the newly dominant historiographical genres, such as chronicles, epitomes, and church histories, are now viewed as the preferred modes of telling the story of the past rather than being considered rudimentary and naive. These genres reflect the changing perspectives and methodologies of historical inquiry, which have been shaped by the broader cultural and intellectual currents of the time.

In conclusion, the transformation of historiography in the late antique period was a complex and multifaceted process. It involved a shift in the way the past was perceived, documented, and interpreted, as well as a methodological challenge arising from the "linguistic turn." This book seeks to provide a comprehensive exploration of these developments, shedding light on the ways in which modern historiography has adapted to engage with the past between c.250 and c.650.

Weight: 590g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032234809