OUR HISTORY

What is History?

History, which is derived from the Ancient Greek term "historía," meaning "inquiry" or "knowledge acquired by investigation," refers to the systematic study and documentation of the human past. The period before the invention of writing systems is known as prehistory, while "history" encompasses past events along with their memory, discovery, collection, organization, presentation, and interpretation. Historians use historical sources such as written documents, oral accounts, art and material artifacts, and ecological markers to acquire past knowledge. However, history remains incomplete and still contains some debatable mysteries.

History is an academic subject that aims to describe, analyze, and interpret past events. Historians use narratives to examine and question these events and explore their causes and effects. They often debate about which narrative is the most accurate and significant. Additionally, historians discuss the usefulness of studying history to provide a perspective on present-day issues.

Stories that are well known to a particular culture but lack external support, such as the tales surrounding King Arthur, are usually classified as cultural heritage or legends. On the other hand, history differs from myth in that it is supported by verifiable evidence. However, ancient cultural influences have given rise to variant interpretations of the nature of history, which have evolved over centuries and continue to change today. The modern study of history is vast, encompassing specific regions and certain topical or thematic elements of historical investigation. History is taught as a part of primary and secondary education, and the academic study of history is a significant discipline in universities.

Herodotus, a historian from fifth-century BC Greece, is often referred to as the "father of history" because he was one of the first historians in Western tradition. Along with his contemporary, Thucydides, he played an essential role in establishing the foundations of modern historical research. Even today, people continue to read their works. The difference in focus between Herodotus' cultural perspective and Thucydides' military perspective is still debated in modern historical writing. Meanwhile, in East Asia, the Spring and Autumn Annals state chronicle was highly regarded as early as 722 BC, but only texts from the second century BC have survived up to this day.