This book brings together historical thinkers from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds to offer original interpretations of the essence of history. It addresses why it is that the essence of history itself cannot be so easily thematised or conceptualised.

Restating the question of the essence of history is necessary because today it has largely been forgotten. Since Antiquity, history has been inextricably bound up with the problem of truth. Contemporary philosophy of history and historiography has branched out in many different directions. This complexity has made it nearly impossible for historical thinkers to engage outside of their own field. The relentless advancement of historical thought has almost completely neglected the question of the essence of history. The chapters in this volume respond to questions such as: What is history? What, in the ‘progress’ of historical thought from antiquity to modernity, did we lose along the way? And what does it mean, if it means anything at all, to have history, to be historical?

The Essence of History will be of interest to scholars and graduate students working in philosophy of history, historical theory and historiography, and ancient history.