Here is the synopsis of our sample research paper on Historical Method and Ancient Literary Texts. Have the paper e-mailed to you 24/7/365.
Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 6 page discussion of the need for caution when using ancient literary texts to interpret history. The author of this paper points out that the modern historian needs to consider such factors as authorship, language, structure and form, sources, and literary meaning in undertaking historical research. Even more important, however, is reviewing a text in its historical context. Numerous examples are presented from the classical world of all the factors which can influence the accuracy of ancient texts. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Page Count:
6 pages (~225 words per page)
File: AM2_PPhistLt.rtf
Buy This Term Paper »
Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
information from ancient times. This is particularly true in our utilization of ancient texts to interpret the classical period of history. Historical method demands that we consider such
factors as authorship, language, structure and form, sources, and literary meaning in undertaking this task. All texts, after all, are the product of a particular time, place, and circumstance.
Their literary meaning, however, does not exist in a vacuum. Indeed, this meaning is expressed in a particular context and that context is subject to a great variety
of variables. To gain the most accurate understanding of history the historian must take not only ancient texts in context but also consider all else that is known regarding a
particular culture and time period. Archaeological investigations can often complement this quest but so too can other disciplines such as the sciences. Take ancient Mesopotamia for an example.
Researchers are currently analyzing the ancient clay tablets created by envoys and messengers between the ancient rulers in Mesopotamia and found archaeologically in locations like Assyria and Babylon (Shaw,
1998). These tablets are inscribed with ancient Egyptian writing perhaps detailing the settlements of various conflicts or recording certain bits of history of the region. The field of
geology entered the realm of this historical research when researchers realized that they were composed of many different types of clays which, more than likely, were collected in differing locations
(Shaw, 1998). An examination of the material cultures of these two regions show a particularly advanced peoples both of whom maintained
frequent contact with the other. Ancient clay tablets which have found in the archaeological records of the two regions provide a particularly interesting challenge to archaeologists in that they
...