According to R.G. Collingwood which historian is credited with the beginning of scientific history ?

The correct answer is - Herodotus

Key Points

• Herodotus
  • Herodotus is widely regarded as the "Father of History," and according to R.G. Collingwood, he is credited with the beginning of scientific history.
  • He employed systematic methods to collect data, verify facts, and analyze events, which laid the foundation for historical research and writing.
  • Herodotus emphasized the importance of understanding the causes and effects of historical events, making his approach distinct from previous traditions of storytelling.
  • His famous work, "Histories", is a comprehensive account of the Greco-Persian Wars and other significant events, combining cultural, geographical, and political insights.

Additional Information

• Thucydides
  • Thucydides, often seen as a successor to Herodotus, advanced the concept of historical writing by focusing on cause-and-effect relationships and prioritizing objective analysis over storytelling.
  • His work, "History of the Peloponnesian War", is considered a masterpiece of political and military history.
• Homer
  • Homer was an ancient Greek poet, not a historian, known for his epic works like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey", which are literary accounts rather than historical records.
  • His contributions are significant in literature but do not align with the systematic approach of scientific history.
• Pliny
  • Pliny the Elder was a Roman author and naturalist, known for his encyclopedic work "Natural History", which covered topics ranging from science to art.
  • While his writings are valuable for understanding ancient knowledge, they are not considered foundational to scientific history.