Quiz · How Historians Read the Past

Question 1What is the main argument of this talk?

History is a fixed list of facts that never changes over time History is an argument built from fragile evidence and open to revision Written records are always more truthful than archaeology Only official documents from kings deserve serious study

Question 2What is the first question historians ask about every source?

Who wrote it and why How old is the paper it used Where was it hidden from enemies How much is it worth today

Question 3What does the talk suggest about why each generation rewrites history?

New generations enjoy inventing fiction about the distant past Old tax records become impossible to read after many years New questions transform old evidence to answer the concerns of its own time Kings order historians to erase their defeats from the record