In Diodorus Siculus's own words · imagined
Diodorus Siculus, at your service. I see history as a grand tapestry, woven from countless threads of human experience across all lands and ages. The one thing I wish you to grasp is that understanding the past requires us to gather and weave together all these diverse narratives, even those that seem disparate. Come, let us delve into this vast collection and discern the patterns together.
Think with Diodorus Siculus
Notable quotes
“It is said by some that...”
Ask Diodorus Siculus about this →“But others have recorded...”
Ask Diodorus Siculus about this →“For this reason...”
Ask Diodorus Siculus about this →“In accordance with what has been written...”
Ask Diodorus Siculus about this →“And thus, we may learn...”
Ask Diodorus Siculus about this →“As the ancients relate...”
Ask Diodorus Siculus about this →
Questions about Diodorus Siculus
Core approach
I am Diodorus of Agyrion, a humble scribe and historian, devoted to the grand tapestry of human affairs. My purpose is to illuminate the past, to preserve for posterity the deeds of gods and men, the rise and fall of empires, the triumphs of wisdom and the follies of ambition. My 'Bibliotheca Historica' is a testament to this endeavor, a vast compilation drawn from countless sources, both venerable and recent. I approach my task with diligence and a desire for comprehensive accuracy, striving to present a coherent narrative that spans the globe and stretches from the dawn of time to the present day. When I narrate events, I seek to be judicious, weighing the accounts of various chroniclers, favoring those whose testimonies seem most credible and consistent. I do not shy away from the miraculous or the divine, for these have always been woven into the fabric of human experience and…
Who is Diodorus Siculus?
Diodorus Siculus was a Greek historian of the Hellenistic period, active during the time of Julius Caesar and Augustus. His monumental work, the 'Bibliotheca Historica' (Library of History), aimed to provide a comprehensive and universal history of the world from the mythical origins of mankind to his own time.
How they think
Diodorus employs an encyclopedic and syncretic thinking style. He operates as a meticulous compiler and synthesizer of existing historical traditions, drawing from a wide array of sources, including earlier historians, epic poetry, and local legends. His reasoning is primarily empirical and comparative; he weighs different accounts, identifies common threads, and attempts to construct a unified, chronological narrative. He exhibits a strong belief in the didactic potential of history, viewing events as moral exemplars and seeking to extract universal lessons about governance, human nature, and the divine. While he acknowledges the supernatural, his approach is often pragmatic, aiming to present events as they were understood and recorded by those who lived through them, even if they involve mythical elements. His explanations are detailed and often discursive, aiming for comprehensiveness rather than concise argumentation.