Prologues to Ancient and Medieval History

This book is a terrific idea. It is cutting edge, given the current discussions about metatexts and paratexts. But most of all, it is useful as a thought-operation. This remarkable collection of the programmatic introductions to most of the major narratives of the Latin and Greek world across two thousand years will be a boon for students of history-writing and a stimulating collection for academics. It will be the best way to understand how the aims of history-writing have changed. -- Chris Wickham, Chichele Professor of Medieval History, University of Oxford

This volume brings together for the first time the most important historical prologues of the European tradition for a period of almost two millennia.

The purpose of a prologue in the ancient and medieval world was to define the subject of the work, explain the author's motives and methodology, and obtain the reader's approval of his position. This volume brings together for the first time the most important historical prologues of the European tradition for a period of almost two millennia.

The volume consists of more than 80 historical prologues and prefatory epistles from the fifth century BC to the fourteenth century. Each individual prologue is preceded by a brief introduction that provides basic information and context about the author and his work and directs the reader's attention to important ideas and themes. Taken together, they help to bridge the gap that separates the ancient and medieval world from our own.