The Common Places

¹20 Let us now declare somewhat of the historical scriptures. An history (as Quintilian defineth it, in the second book, and fourth chapter of his institutions) is a declaration of a thing that hath been done. From whom Augustine doth not much vary; saying, that History is the declaration of any thing done, either by God or by man; comprehending within the compass of this definition, as well profane histories, as those of the Bible. Howbeit, all narrations of things done, are not of one sort. For some are called Chronicles, or Annals, showing the success of things from year to year, and time to time; but others are properly called histories. Howbeit we cannot well do this, unless we distinguish these two one from the other. Cicero in his second book De oratore, when he touched these matters, writeth on this wise: The Greeks themselves wrote so in the beginning, as our Cato, Pictor, and Piso did. For history was nothing else, but a gathering together of things done from year to year: and for the preservation of such things in public memory, the chief prelate did put every year in writing, whatsoever was done worth the registering within that year; and so continued from the original of the Roman state, even unto Publius Mutius, who bare the same office. Which being done, he not only did publish it abroad, but also did set it forth in a table at home, that the people might have the perfect knowledge thereof. Yea, and many of them (saith he) which are counted the chief historiographers at this day, follow much of their trade; who without any curiousness or eloquence, leave the monuments of times, persons, places and things, even simply as they were done. Wherefore as Pherecydes, Hellanicus, Acusilaus, and many other among the Greeks, such were our Cato, Pictor, and Piso among us, who have small regard to set forth their matter with goodly words: and so it may be understood what they say, they account brevity a special praise of speaking.

¹20 Let vs now declare somwhat of the historicall scriptures. An historie (as Quintilian defineth it, in the second booke, and fourth chapter of his institutions) is a declaration of a thing that hath béene doone. From whom Augustine dooth not much varie; saieng, that Historie is the declaration of anie thing doone, either by God or by man; comprehending within the compasse of this definition, as well prophane histories, as those of the Bible. Howbeit, all narrations of things doone, are not of one sort. For some are called Chronicles, or Annales, shewing the successe of things from yéere to yéere, and time to time; but others are properlie called histories. Howbeit we cannot well doo this, vnlesse we distinguish these two one from the other. Cicero in his second booke De oratore, when he touched these matters, writeth on this wise: The Gréeks themselues wrote so in the beginning, as our Cato, Pictor, and Piso did. For historie was nothing else, but a gathering togither of things doon from yéere to yéere: and for the preseruation of such things in publike memorie, the chéefe prelate did put euerie yéere in writing, whatsoeuer was doon woorth the registring within that yéere; and so continued from the originall of the Romane state, euen vnto Publius Mutius, who bare the same office. Which being doone, he not onelie did publish it abroad, but also did set it foorth in a table at home, that the people might haue the perfect knowledge thereof. Yea, and manie of them (saith he) which are counted the chéefe historiographers at this daie, followe much of their trade; who without anie curiousnes or eloquence, leaue the monuments of times, persons, places and things, euen simplie as they were doone. Wherefore as Pherecydes, Hellanicus, Acusilaus, and manie other among the Gréekes, such were our Cato, Pictor, and Piso among vs, who haue small regard to set foorth their matter with goodlie words: and so it may be vnderstood what they saie, they account breuitie a speciall praise of speaking.