Interesting essay, written by Polybius, an ancient Greek historian from two millennia ago. As the title suggests, he argued that it is necessary to take a compa

Interesting essay, written by Polybius, an ancient Greek historian from two millennia ago. As the title suggests, he argued that it is necessary to take a comparative view of history to reap the most benefit from its study. I like the analogy he provides in the conclusion, so I'll copy it here in the hopes it entices you as well. > He who believes that by studying isolated histories he can acquire a fairly just view of history as a whole is, as it seems to me, much in the case of one who, after having looked at the dissevered limbs of an animal once alive and beautiful, fancies he had been as good as an eyewitness of the creature itself in all its action and grace. For could anyone put the creature together on the spot, restoring its form and the comeliness of life, and then show it to the same man, I think he would quickly avow that he was formerly very far away from the truth and more like one in a dream. For we can get some idea of a whole from a part but never knowledge or exact opinion. Special histories therefore contribute very little to the knowledge of the whole and conviction of its truth. It is only indeed by study of the interconnection of all the particulars, their resemblances and differences, that we are enabled at least to make a general survey, and thus derive both benefit and pleasure from history.