History is more than a record of the past—it shapes how we understand power, culture, and human nature. But who shapes history itself?

The greatest historians didn’t just document events; they analysed, interpreted, and told stories that continue to influence us today. From Herodotus, the first great storyteller, to Gibbon, the chronicler of empire, their works remain essential reading.

Here are six historians whose insights still shape the way we see the world.

Great Historians and Their Enduring Impact

Herodotus (c. 484–425 BC) – The Father of History

“In peace, sons bury their fathers. In war, fathers bury their sons.” — Herodotus

If history had an origin story, it would begin with Herodotus. Often called “The Father of History,” he was the first to systematically record events, weaving them into a cohesive narrative of human affairs. His work, The Histories, is an epic account of the Greco-Persian Wars, filled with tales of gods, kings, and battles—but also of diverse cultures, strange customs, and moral lessons.

Herodotus’ storytelling made history engaging and alive, but it also raised questions about accuracy. He was a collector of stories, often including myths, rumours, and dramatic embellishments alongside factual accounts. This has led some to label him “The Father of Lies”, but his real contribution was his curiosity and desire to understand the causes behind events.

Why We Still Read Him:

• He established history as a field of study, setting the foundation for all who came after.
• His focus on cause-and-effect, cultural diversity, and human nature remains relevant today.
• His work reminds us that history is not just about facts—it’s about the stories we tell to make sense of the past.

Even if some of his tales are more legend than fact, Herodotus gave us history’s first great narrative—a tradition that continues to shape the way we understand the world.

Thucydides (c. 460–400 BC) – The First Political Historian

“The strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must.” — Thucydides

If Herodotus was the storyteller of history, Thucydides was its analyst. Rejecting myth and hearsay, he pioneered a fact-based, objective approach to historical writing, focusing on power, politics, and human nature. His History of the Peloponnesian War—which chronicles the brutal conflict between Athens and Sparta—remains one of the most influential works of political history ever written.

Unlike Herodotus, Thucydides did not believe history was shaped by fate or the gods. Instead, he argued that human ambition, fear, and self-interest drive events—a view that has influenced generations of political thinkers, from Machiavelli to modern realists in international relations. His analysis of power struggles, alliances, and war tactics remains a cornerstone in military and political studies today.

Why We Still Read Him:

• He introduced critical analysis into historical writing, rejecting myths in favour of eyewitness accounts and rigorous inquiry.
• His insights into power, war, and human motivation are still used in politics, diplomacy, and military strategy.
• His writing reminds us that history is cyclical—patterns of conflict and ambition repeat across time.

Thucydides didn’t just record history—he taught us how to analyse it, making him as relevant today as he was in ancient Greece.

Bede (673–735) – The Historian of Early England

“If history records good things of good men, the thoughtful hearer is encouraged to imitate what is good.” — Bede

In a time when much of Europe’s history was preserved through oral tradition and scattered records, Bede changed everything. His Ecclesiastical History of the English People (731 AD) was the first comprehensive history of early England, providing an account of its rulers, religious development, and cultural shifts. More than just a chronicler, Bede sought to explain history’s moral and spiritual lessons, shaping how medieval scholars understood the past.

His work introduced key historical methods, including the use of primary sources, logical chronology, and an emphasis on evidence—practices that make him one of the most important early historians in the Western tradition. He also helped establish the BC/AD dating system, still in use today.

Why We Still Read Him:

• His work preserved the early history of England, offering a crucial link between antiquity and the medieval world.
• He set the standard for historical scholarship in medieval Europe, emphasizing research and accuracy.
• His writings remind us that history is not just about events—it’s about understanding how people and cultures evolve over time.

Bede’s meticulous approach to history laid the groundwork for medieval and modern historiography, proving that even in an age of uncertainty, history could still be recorded with precision and purpose.

Edward Gibbon (1737–1794) – The Rise and Fall of Civilizations

“The decline of Rome was the natural and inevitable effect of immoderate greatness.” — Edward Gibbon

Few historians have left as lasting an impression as Edward Gibbon, whose monumental work, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, remains one of the most influential historical accounts ever written. Spanning from the height of the Roman Empire to its eventual disintegration, Gibbon’s six-volume masterpiece wasn’t just a chronicle of events—it was an investigation into why great civilizations collapse.

Gibbon argued that moral decay, internal corruption, and complacency led to Rome’s downfall—an analysis that has sparked debates for centuries. His sharp wit, elegant prose, and willingness to critique religious and political institutions made his work both insightful and controversial. His ideas remain relevant today as scholars and leaders continue to debate the factors that lead to the rise and fall of nations.

Why We Still Read Him:

• He set a new standard for historical narrative, blending rigorous scholarship with engaging storytelling.
• His exploration of civilizational decline continues to influence historians, economists, and political theorists.
• His work reminds us that no empire—no matter how powerful—is immune to collapse.

Gibbon didn’t just write history—he warned the future. His reflections on power, leadership, and decline remain as thought-provoking now as they were in the 18th century.

Christopher Dawson (1889–1970) – The Historian of Christian Civilization

“A society which has lost its religion becomes sooner or later a society which has lost its culture.” — Christopher Dawson

While many historians focus on wars, politics, and economics, Christopher Dawson believed that religion is the key to understanding civilizations. In works like Religion and the Rise of Western Culture, he argued that faith traditions shape societies as profoundly as kings and conquests do. For Dawson, history wasn’t just about power struggles—it was about the spiritual and moral forces that influence cultures over time.

At a time when many scholars were dismissing religion as a relic of the past, Dawson insisted that Christianity was central to the development of Western civilization—from its intellectual traditions to its artistic and legal foundations. His work has influenced historians, theologians, and cultural critics, especially those who study the relationship between faith and history.

Why We Still Read Him:

• He challenged the idea that history can be understood without religion, offering a deeper, more holistic perspective.
• His work remains relevant in debates about secularism, culture, and the role of faith in society.
• He reminds us that history is not just about what happened—it’s about what people believed and how those beliefs shaped their world.

Dawson’s writings serve as a reminder that a civilization’s spiritual life is as important as its politics and economics—a perspective still debated today.

Conclusion: Why We Must Keep Reading History

The historians we’ve explored didn’t just record the past—they shaped how we understand it. Their works reveal patterns in power, war, culture, and belief, helping us learn from past mistakes and navigate the present.

From Herodotus’ grand storytelling to Thucydides’ political realism, from Bede’s careful chronicles to Gibbon’s warnings on decline, their insights remain essential. History is not just about what happened—it’s about why it happened and what it means for us today.

After all, understanding history is the first step to understanding ourselves.