Thucydides, known as the “father of scientific history,” focused on objectivity and the analysis of cause and effect in historical events. His work, “The History of the Peloponnesian War,” delved into the political and military motivations behind the conflict between Athens and Sparta. Thucydides meticulously documented the speeches of key political figures and offered detailed accounts of military tactics and results. His emphasis on rationalism and rejection of supernatural explanations set a precedent for future historians, inspiring generations of scholars to take a more critical and analytical approach to the study of the past. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Herodotus, on the other hand, took a more expansive approach to history, incorporating a wide range of cultural, social, and geographic elements into his narratives. His work, “The Histories,” explored the origins of the Persian Wars and the interactions between various civilizations in the ancient world. Herodotus was interested in the customs, beliefs and traditions of different peoples and traveled extensively to collect first-hand accounts and anecdotes, weaving them into his narrative to provide broader context to historical events. Although he included a significant amount of myth and legend in his work, attributing certain events to the whims of the gods or the actions of divine beings, Herodotus also recognized the role of human action in shaping the course of events. Thucydides and Herodotus lies in their attitude towards the role of divine intervention in history. Thucydides was a firm believer in rationalism and believed that historical events could be explained through human actions and motivations. He rejected supernatural explanations of phenomena as irrelevant to his analysis of history. In contrast, Herodotus included a considerable amount of myths and legends in his work, attributing certain events to the whims of the gods or the actions of divine beings. Despite their differences, both Thucydides and Herodotus made important contributions to the field of history. Thucydides' emphasis on objectivity and causal analysis inspired generations of scholars to adopt a more critical and analytical approach to the study of the past. Herodotus, on the other hand, brought a more holistic and interdisciplinary perspective to history, integrating cultural, social, and geographical factors into his narratives. His work laid the foundation for the study of world history and cross-cultural interactions. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In conclusion, Thucydides and Herodotus represent two distinct approaches to the writing of history. Thucydides focused on the political and military aspects, employing a rationalist methodology that emphasized cause and effect. Herodotus, on the other hand, took a more expansive approach, incorporating cultural, social, and geographic factors into his narratives. Despite their differences, both historians left a lasting impact on the study of history, shaping our understanding of the ancient world and inspiring future generations of scholars. Their contrasting methodologies and perspectives have greatly influenced the study of history and continue to shape how we understand the ancient world.