Luciani Samosatensis Quomodo Historia Conscribenda Sit (1776)

by Lucian of Samosata

Luciani Samosatensis Quomodo Historia Conscribenda Sit (1776) est liber a Samosatensi Luciano scriptus, qui de arte historica tractat. In hoc libro Lucianus docet quomodo historia scribenda sit, ut veritas et fides historiae conserventur. Is auctor vitia historicae tradit, et exempla praeclarissima exponit, quae exemplum praebeant quomodo historia scribenda sit. In his exemplis, Lucianus de historia Graecorum et Romanorum tractat, et historias fabulosas et ficticias a veris historiae discernit. Haec opera praecipue ad historicos et scriptores pertinent, qui veritatem et fidei historiae servare cupiunt.This Book Is In Latin.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Genres: Classics, Humor, Nonfiction

278 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 166

About the author

Lucian of Samosata was a Greek-educated Syrian rhetorician, and satirist who wrote in the Greek language. He is noted for his witty and scoffing nature.

Reviews

[Yann · Rating 5 out of 5]

La rage d'écrire n'est pas seulement l'apanage des modernes: les anciens souffraient déjà une foule de mauvais ouvrages que le temps a heureusement enseveli dans les eaux du Léthé. Dans cette lettre à son ami Philon, Lucien déplore les mauvaises productions historique, en particulier celles qui ont fleuri suite à l'expédition menées contre les Parthes.

Toujours érudit et adroit, mais aussi très caustique, Lucien fait l'inventaire des défauts de ces textes : quel crédit accorder à un texte qui outrage ostensiblement un camp, au mépris de l'objectivité que requiert la recherche la vérité? Quel ennui ne provoque pas un autre qui reprend non seulement mot pour mot l'introduction de la guerre du Péloponnèse, mais copie exactement le plan, en passant par l'épisode de la peste ? Comment ne pas se défier d'un texte qui multiplie les approximations géographiques, les incohérences, le manque de connaissance des affaires militaires ou encore assomme le lecteur avec des descriptions oiseuses, qui n'apportent rien à la compréhension des causes et des conséquences ? Lucien continue son argumentation en apportant un ensemble de préceptes utiles, en rappelant le but de l'histoire.

[Lydia Bindon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun. Would recommend.

[Doruk Tozluyurt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bullshiters from all the ages of our world, Lucian is onto you!


In this very short book, Lucian goes really hard on some people -historians in particular-, ideas, methods for writing historical account etc. while not pulling any punches. In short, he’s against ‘the sacred’ and its company in general. So, he’s not a painful read for a left-leaning person, such as myself. Also, his tongue-in-cheek attitude makes this a very enjoyable read. Apparently, his emphasis on ‘writing for the future’ is applicable to most of his works. I have an edition which includes two other works from him that I have yet to read, both about a trip to moon… Also, besides having an unconventional mind, he’s very accessible, considering the fact that he was born around the year 120! Yeah, three digits lol. Definitely recommend this.

[Damien Tournay · Rating 5 out of 5]

"La guerre engendre beaucoup de maux, entre lesquels sont le grand nombre d'historiens" écrit Jean Racine, en marge d'un exemplaire du "Comment écrire l'histoire".
Lucien se désole du nombre de personnes écrivant sur les récentes guerres entre Romains et Parthes sans tenir le moindre compte des bases de l'histoire. Un récit jubilatoire, féroce et très drôle où Lucien, à force d'exemples, montrent exactement ce qu'il faudrait faire et surtout ce qu'il ne faut pas faire quand on prétend faire oeuvre d'histoire.

[Darinka · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's great learning about the history of historiography and their views on being an historian. This book is from a period where historiography is really just beginning. I liked his satirism and advice. But there were too many examples for my taste, although they were interesting, they kind of interrupted the narrative. Overall a very interesting read.

[Filomena Sottile]

"Ma soprattutto, e prima di ogni altra cosa, [lo storico] sia libero nel pensiero e non abbia paura di nessuno e non speri nulla, perché sarebbe come i cattivi giudici che sentenziano con favore o con avversione dietro compenso."