Gilgamesh and Enkidu
A king, a wild man, friendship, fame, grief, and the oldest surviving heroic epic.
All Articles
The complete article archive, including history essays, historian biographies, historiography, mythology, and other interpretive writing.
Hypnos and Thanatos: Sleep and His Half-Brother Death
Twin sons of Nyx carry mortals from the waking world: one for a night, the other forever.
Loki and the Death of Baldr
A missed oath, a sprig of mistletoe, and one of the great turning points of Norse myth.
Odin's Sacrifice at Yggdrasil
The Allfather hangs from the world-tree and wins the secret of the runes.
Persephone and the Seasons
Pomegranate seeds bind Persephone to the underworld and explain the grief of winter.
Ra and the Solar Journey
Ra wasn't one fixed figure the way later mythologies like their gods to be. He was a name attached to a process, and the process had stages.
Romulus, Remus, and the She-Wolf
Twin sons of Mars, a river rescue, a she-wolf, and the violent foundation of Rome.
The Twelve Labors of Heracles
Atonement, impossible tasks, and the making of the best-known Greek heroic cycle.
Understanding Cliometrics
Cliometrics, also known as quantitative history or economic history, is a subfield of history that uses mathematical, statistical, and economic techniques to study historical phenomena.
The emergence of consensus historians in the 1940's and 1950's
The decades of the 1940s and 1950s saw the emergence of a new approach to history writing, known as consensus history. This approach was a response to the fragmented and contentious historiography of the preceding decades, characterized by...
"The Prince" by Niccolo Machiavelli and political philosophy
Niccolo Machiavelli is one of the most influential philosophers in the history of politics, and his book "The Prince" is considered a classic in the field of political philosophy.
The concepts of historical relativism and revisionism
Historical relativism and revisionism are two closely related concepts that have a significant impact on the way we understand and interpret the past.
Putting together a historiographical review
A historiographical review is a written evaluation of the existing literature on a particular historical topic. The purpose of a historiographical review is to summarize, analyze, and assess the previous works written on the subject and...
Nineteenth century European history and it's influence on historiography
Nineteenth century European historiography was a period of significant transformation in the way history was understood and written.
Understanding historical sociology
Historical sociology is a branch of sociology that studies the interaction between historical processes and social structures.
A brief biography of Saint Bede the Venerable - The Monk Historian
Bede, also known as Saint Bede the Venerable, was an English Benedictine monk, scholar, and historian who lived in the early 8th century.
Historical narrative and explanation
Historical narrative and explanation are two important concepts in the study of history. Historical narrative refers to the story that is told about past events, while historical explanation seeks to understand why those events occurred...
What is historical speculation
Historical speculation refers to the process of conjecturing about past events and situations based on evidence, research, and the interpretation of historical records.
Historical Perspective: Understanding the Past to Make Sense of the Present
The study of history is not just about learning about the events and people of the past, but it also provides a valuable perspective on the present.
Historical research and the problems with Wikipedia
Historical research is an important field of study that requires accuracy and precision in order to gain a deeper understanding of events and people from the past.
Historical interpretation and revision
Historical interpretation and revisionism are important concepts in the field of history. Historical interpretation refers to the way that events and figures from the past are understood and analyzed by historians and scholars.
Historical Thinking and Other Unnatural Acts: Charting the Future of Teaching the Past - Book Review
"Historical Thinking and Other Unnatural Acts: Charting the Future of Teaching the Past" by Sam Wineburg is a thought-provoking and insightful book that delves into the challenges and complexities of teaching history.
The different modes of historical writing
Historical writing encompasses a wide range of styles and approaches, each with its own unique characteristics. Understanding the different modes of historical writing is crucial for both historians and readers of history.
Historical research in the business world
Historical research can be a valuable tool for businesses seeking to understand past trends, identify patterns, and make informed decisions about the future.
The similarities between history and science
History and science may seem like vastly different disciplines, but they share many similarities. Both involve the study of past events and phenomena, and both rely on evidence and critical thinking to make sense of that information.
Historical conscious in the modern age
Historical consciousness has become increasingly important in the modern age as society continues to grapple with the legacy of past events and their impact on the present.
Understanding "a priori" and the obvious importance to historical research
A priori is a Latin phrase that translates to "from the earlier." It is used in philosophy and logic to describe knowledge or justification that is independent of experience.
A brief biography of Thucydides - Greek Historian and General
Thucydides was a Greek historian and general who lived in the 5th century BCE. He is best known for his history of the Peloponnesian War, which was a prolonged conflict between Athens and Sparta that lasted from 431 to 404 BCE.
Considerations on becoming a historian
Being a historian is a challenging and rewarding profession that requires a deep understanding of the past and the ability to communicate that understanding to others.
The association between philosophy and history
Philosophy and history are two disciplines that are closely related in many ways. At their core, both are concerned with understanding the world and the human experience. However, they approach this understanding from different angles.
A brief biography of Herodotus - The Father of History
Herodotus was a Greek historian and writer who lived in the 5th century BCE. He is considered to be the "Father of History" due to his pioneering work in the field of historiography, which involved the systematic collection, analysis, and...
Does the past help us with the future?
History can be a powerful tool for predicting the future. It can provide insight into the ways societies have reacted to similar events in the past, giving us an indication of how we might respond to similar situations in the future.
Laws and Freedom in history according to Arnold Toynbee
Historian Arnold J. Toynbee's theory of history focuses on the rise and fall of civilizations and the role of law and freedom within them.
Understanding the concepts of continuity and change
Continuity and change are two fundamental concepts in the study of history. Continuity refers to the persistence of certain patterns, themes, or institutions over time, while change refers to the alteration or transformation of those same...
Understanding reconstruction and subjectivity in historical accounts
Reconstructing historical accounts and subjectivity is a challenging task that requires a thorough understanding of the historical context, as well as an awareness of the biases and perspectives of the sources being used.
What is the concept of "Multiple Causality" in historical research?
Multiple causality is an important concept in history. It is the idea that a single historical event can be caused by multiple factors.
Critical thinking for the student of history
History is a fascinating subject, and one of the most important skills needed to study it is critical thinking. Critical thinking is the process of analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing information from various sources in order to come...
Five historians whose work is required reading
The study of history is a crucial part of understanding the world today and the people who have shaped it. Throughout history, there have been some amazing historians who have made tremendous contributions to the field.
Understanding context in history
Context is an important part of understanding history. It helps us to understand why events happened the way they did, and how they impacted the people involved.
What are historical methods?
Historical methods are the tools and techniques used by historians to uncover information about the past. The main goal of historical methods is to build an accurate picture of the past based on evidence.
Thoughts on why people don't like to study history
History is an important subject that offers a great deal of insight into the past and the events that shaped our world. However, many people don't like history because it can be overwhelming and difficult to understand.
Why study history
Studying history is an important part of understanding the world around us. It helps us to understand how societies, cultures, and political systems have evolved over time.
What is Historiography
Historiography is the study of the way history has been written. It is an important tool used by historians to understand how people in the past have understood and interpreted their own lives and the world around them.
Tales from the Graveyard
Most people probably think a guy wandering around a cemetery checking out graves with notebook in hand is a bit odd. What enjoyment or information can you possibly get from a bunch of dead people and the stones marking their final resting...
Possible career fields for those with a BA in History
There are many career options for those with a bachelor's degree in history. Some include: Teaching at the K-12 or post-secondary level