Throughout history, people have tried to record the events they experienced. In early periods, historical narratives mostly consisted of epics, legends, and praise for rulers. But over time, the idea of conveying events more realistically and objectively emerged. This development holds an important place in the formation of history as a science.
When the topic of “the first objective historical writing” comes up in history classes, the names that come to mind are Herodotus and, in particular, Thucydides. However, historians generally regard Thucydides as the true representative of objective historiography.
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What Is Objective Historical Writing?
Objective historical writing is the approach of conveying events without exaggeration, based on facts, and from multiple perspectives.
In this approach:
- Events are narrated as they actually happened
- Legends are avoided
- Sources are given importance
- Cause-and-effect relationships are established
- Personal commentary is minimized
With the development of history as a science, the concept of objective narration has gained even greater importance.
Who Is the First Objective Historian?
Thucydides is generally regarded as the first objective historian. This ancient Greek historian evaluated events using cause-and-effect relationships while narrating the Peloponnesian Wars.
Thucydides:
- Did not give much weight to rumors
- Placed great importance on observation
- Sought to gather accurate information
- Examined events through their political dimensions
For this reason, he is considered one of the pioneers of modern historiography.
Herodotus and Historical Writing
Herodotus, known as the “Father of History,” is one of the most important historians. Herodotus traveled through many societies and described what he witnessed in his works.
However, Herodotus’s narratives could include:
- Legends
- Mythological stories
- Folk tales
Because of this, he is not fully considered an objective historian in the strictest sense.
Nevertheless, he made a great contribution to the development of historical writing.
Thucydides’s Approach to History
Thucydides’s approach to history is remarkable from the perspective of modern historiography. In particular, his investigation of the causes of events set him apart.
According to Thucydides, history:
- Should help understand human behavior
- Should be based on real events
- Should shed light on the future
This view is quite close to today’s understanding of history.
The Peloponnesian Wars and Historical Writing
The Peloponnesian Wars were among the most important conflicts fought between Athens and Sparta. Thucydides examined these wars in great detail.
In his work, he focused on:
- The causes of the war
- Political developments
- The decisions of leaders
- Social effects
This approach ushered in a new era in historical writing.
How Did Objective Historical Writing Emerge?
Objective historical writing developed gradually over time. In earlier periods, history mostly consisted of texts praising rulers.
However, in Ancient Greece:
- Observation
- Logic
- Critical inquiry
began to take precedence.
This shift also influenced historical narration.
The Development of Historical Writing
The development of historical writing progressed with the contributions of various civilizations.
During this process:
- The Sumerians wrote annals
- The Egyptians recorded their victories
- Greek historians began examining events
- Islamic historians kept chronological records
Thus, history gradually approached a more scientific structure.
The Difference Between Modern and Ancient Historiography
In modern historiography:
- Documents are given importance
- Sources are compared
- Objectivity is the goal
- Scientific methods are used
Ancient historians, on the other hand, often acted according to the conditions of their own era.
Nevertheless, Thucydides’s method is considered quite close to modern historiography.
Who Pioneered the First Objective Historical Writing?
When it comes to the first objective historical writing, the name that stands out most is Thucydides. His analysis of events through cause-and-effect relationships and his effort to avoid rumors set him apart from other historians.
Holding an important place in the development of history as a science, Thucydides is regarded today as one of the pioneers of modern historical writing.
