What is History ~ Definitions & Theories

What is history

History is the branch of social science under which the events of the past or the people related to it are studied chronologically.

Greek historian Herodotus was world's first real historian. Herodotus (484 BC - 425 BC) was born in Helicarnassus of Asia Minor. The name of its only composition is 'The Histories' composed in 430 BC. The Histories is also known as 'The Researches' or 'The Enquiries'. Histories are derived from the Greek word historia which literally means - knowledge gained from research. The English synonym of Historia is History. Herodotus is the first use of the word 'Histories'. He established history as a separate pedagogy (subject).

He believed that history is

  1. Scientific science since its method is critical.
  2. Anthropology Since it marks human activities.
  3. Rational learning since its facts and conclusions are based on evidence and
  4. Instructive learning since it throws light on the future in the light of the past.

Herodotus laid the foundation of real history writing. He was the first historian who systematically collected materials, checked their veracity and molded them into well-organized and lively descriptions. His composition 'Histories' gives a detailed and interesting description of Greece-Iran. Herodotus was the world's first real historian. The Roman philosopher Cicero (106 BC-43 BC) called him the 'father of history'.

Famous definitions of history

1. (I) The history of the world is nothing but freedom-consciousness.

       Hegel: 1770-1831 AD (philosopher of Germany)

   (II) The only lesson we take from history is that man never takes any lesson from history.

       Hegel: 1770-1831 AD (philosopher of Germany)

2. (I) The history of all erstwhile societies has been the history of class struggle

      Karl Marx: 1818-1883 AD (German philosopher, economist, socialist and historian)

      (II) History repeats itself, first as tragedy, then as farce.

     Karl Marx: 1818-1883 AD (German philosopher, economist, socialist and historian)

3. (l) History is past politics and politics is present history.

              John Seeley: 1834-1895 AD (Historian of England)

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