Ep 23. Earliest Historians of Greece and China

In season 1, episode 23 of History of the Ancient World: A Global Perspective, viewers are taken on a journey to explore the earliest historians of Greece and China. The episode delves into the rich histories of ancient Greece and China, and how the ways in which they documented their own histories set a precedent for future civilizations.

The episode begins by examining the writing traditions in ancient Greece and China. While the Greeks were known for their epic poetry, the Chinese were skilled in the art of oracle bone inscriptions. Despite these differences, both civilizations were dedicated to recording their histories and preserving them for future generations.

As the episode progresses, viewers are introduced to the first known historians in ancient Greece and China. In Greece, the father of history, Herodotus, is highlighted. Known for his dedication to collecting accurate information about the past, Herodotus pioneered the genre of historical writing. In China, the legendary Sima Qian is profiled. Sima Qian's masterpiece, Records of the Grand Historian, was the first comprehensive history of China and was instrumental in shaping the country's collective memory.

Throughout the episode, the show highlights the importance of historical accuracy in both ancient Greece and China. In Greece, the historian Thucydides set himself apart from other writers of his time by emphasizing the importance of first-hand accounts and eyewitness testimony in historical writing. Meanwhile, in China, the emperor's edict declaring that all history books must be burned was a major turning point in the country's cultural history. It was only through the tireless efforts of researchers like Liu Xiang and Ban Gu that ancient Chinese history was able to be reconstructed.

As the episode draws to a close, viewers are left with a deep appreciation for the work of the earliest historians of Greece and China. These pioneers helped shape the way we look at history today and continue to inspire historians and scholars around the world. Whether exploring ancient Greece, China, or any other ancient civilization, it is clear that history is a subject that demands attention and respect.