Historiography: Ancient and modern

Ancient and modern historiography have a complex relationship: Ancient historiography is not only an object of research, it is also an object of reflection for modern scholars concerning their dealing with the past. This was particularly true for the decades around the turn of the 19th century, when modern historiography began to evolve. This transformation required a heightened degree of methodological reflection and legitimation of new approaches. For these purposes ancient historiography was extensively consulted and acquired the status of a role model. The aim of the project is a consideration of this double role of ancient historiography. This vantage point makes the proposed project special: The reception of ancient historiography in the era in question is predominantly tackled with a focus on the methodological writings of eminent scholars. In contrast to this, the project examines the reception of ancient historiography more comprehensively by extending the focus on the scholarly practice. Departing from a broad sample of statements on ancient historiography from the era in question, the basic conditions of the production of knowledge about this topical field will be outlined (such as the available sources and the interpretative means of their integration into historical reconstructions or the conditions of the practical field of historical scholarship). In order to take into consideration also the transnational entanglement of historical scholarship the geographical focus will include German-speaking, French and Anglo-Saxon scholarship. Special attention will be paid to the interdependence of the two roles of ancient historiography, especially to what extent its reflective uses affected its reconstructions. Thus, it will for instance become clear, which assumptions and conditions were behind David Humes famous dictum The first page of Thucydides is, in my opinion, the commencement of real history. At the same time the juxtaposition of scholarly practice and historiographical reflection allows an appraisal of the actual impact of ancient historiography on the development of modern historical scholarship.