Historical Texts Research Articles

Engendering Literary History: Jean-Paul Sartre’s What Is Literature?

Immediately after the Second World War, Jean-Paul Sartre offered a history of literature as part of his project to launch a new era of literary activity guided by his concept of littérature engagée or committed literature. This article examines Sartre’s approach to the construction of literary history, highlighting his use of periodisation, a thematics of shifting relationships between writers and readers, and frequent deployment of gendered rhetoric to support his arguments. It shows that Sartre repeatedly used gendered tropes that worked to associate women, females and/or femininity with characteristics generally devalued in European and other Western societies, such as passivity, ignorance and indecision. It is argued that the touchstone to which Sartre continually referred in formulating his literary history was Julien Benda’s La Trahison des Clercs (Treason of the Intellectuals). The argument to be developed takes broad inspiration from the work of Hayden White on the analysis of historical texts, and follows his injunction that historians and readers of history need to become more conscious of how histories are made.

Navigational Insights during the Reign of Cyrus the Great: A Comprehensive Examination Based on Archaeological Findings Such as Clay Tablets, Reliefs, and an Analysis of Historical and Literary Texts

One of the earliest indications of Iranian navigation during the Achaemenid period is a relief found in the audience hall of Cyrus the Great in Pasargadae, bearing the appellation “God of Water and Sea.” The primary focus of this article is to investigate whether navigation and maritime activities during the reign of Cyrus the Great were influenced by and expanded upon Phoenician techniques and Mesopotamian regions. Prior studies have generally taken a historical and overarching approach to this subject. Since complete trust cannot be placed in historical references and texts, and given the existence of certain deficiencies and even contradictions in the writings of ancient historians such as Herodotus, Xenophon, and others, this research aims to shed new light on the obscure aspects of navigation and seafaring during this era, relying on archaeological findings such as the clay tablets, relief, and a reexamination of previous literary and historical texts. This article employs an analytical-descriptive methodology and a library-based approach. Among the archaeological findings from this period, a total of two reliefs in Pasargadae and two clay tablets are subject to investigation and research. The examination of the artifacts and findings from Pasargadae demonstrates that the Achaemenids indirectly came under the influence of Phoenician art and Mesopotamian regions concerning navigation. Furthermore, in the pursuit of maritime development, trade, and shipping, they were directly influenced by the Phoenicians. With the acquisition of maritime power, they successfully annexed many neighboring lands to their powerful empire.

Indeterminacy and the Role of the Archive: The Eight Extensions of Piaget’s Sociological Studies

What a text means in translation is accepted, canonically, to be indeterminate. Authors can provide additional constraints to interpretation by taking care to explain some of the original context. But this requires making judgments about what counts, and readers can’t generally do that of sources except in retrospect. So the solution to the problem is taken to be “to become bilingual,” and basically do the translation work oneself. This means immersing in that foreign culture for long enough that its ways of being, and ways of meaning, become one’s own. When the subject of one’s interest is the undiscovered country, however, this goal remains forever inaccessible. That’s just not somewhere you can go and report back from. The true meanings of deceased authors are therefore forever inscrutable. Except, of course, in cases where historical traces can stand in their stead. Interactions with archival sources are thus offered as a new solution to the problems of indeterminacy and inscrutability: archives provide anchors to stabilize the received meaning of historical texts by offering evidence of what those involved in their production intended them to mean. Here, that is demonstrated with reference to (1) the difficulty of translating Jean Piaget’s (1896–1980) collection of essays entitled Sociological Studies and (2) the broader misunderstanding of Piaget’s sociality in relation to the popularity of its critique by Lev Vygotsky (1896–1934). We then find, in the process, new ways to consider a consistently thorny question: what is the means by which one attains truth? Here, we therefore articulate and illustrate the “Interpretation Game” by providing access to a curated selection of archival texts drawn from several collections never before considered in relation to the question of the meaning of “Piaget” as a holophrastic utterance. The result is then also a new look at Cold War-era developmental psychology, social psychology, educational theory, and genetic epistemology (the study of the construction of knowledge).

An Excellent Scribe and Servant of the Great Goddess

Summary CT 533, one of the divine scribe spells among the Coffin Texts, is an important early example of the interaction of Thoth and Hathor. The spell’s text, textual history, and theology are extensively discussed in order to expose the early form of the Myth of Distant Goddess as well as early concepts of Thoth’s role in her pacification. The spell’s earliest versions primarily dealt with Thoth as advocate for the deceased, in its later manifestations the spell uses Hathoric material related to the Myth of the Distant Goddess to reinforce these themes. This development is connected to the cult-center at Cusae.

Digital Teaching Materials for Historical Narrative Texts Oriented to Character Education for SD/MI Students

This research aims to develop digital teaching materials for historical narrative texts oriented towards character education for SD/MI students. Background to the problem of this research 1) What is the need for digital teaching materials for historical narrative texts oriented towards character education for SD/MI? 2) How are digital teaching materials for historical narrative texts oriented towards character education for SD/MI? 3) What is the feasibility of digital teaching materials for historical narrative texts oriented towards character education for SD/MI? This research uses research and development methods with the ADDIE (Analysis Design Development Implementation Evaluate) model. The steps in this research consist of needs analysis, designing digital teaching materials, developing digital teaching materials, implementing digital teaching material products, and product evaluation (digital teaching materials). Data collection in this research was by collecting data from the results of expert validation questionnaires and student assessment questionnaires. The data obtained was analyzed descriptively using a Likert scale. The results of the validation test by material experts obtained a value of 2.93, the validation test by media experts obtained a value of 3.00. The validation test by the Indonesian language teacher received a value of 3.03. The results of implementing e-module teaching materials in schools received a positive response from students with a score of 3.2. The conclusion of this research is that digital historical narrative text teaching materials oriented towards character education for SD/MI students meet the appropriate criteria for use as teaching materials by students or teachers in Indonesian language subjects. Narrative text materials for fifth grade SD/MI students.

Hidden in plain text: Uncovering hidden heterogeneity and social stratification in Ireland AD 1150-1800.

Between the Irish late medieval (AD 1150-c.1550) (LMP) and post-medieval (AD c.1550-1800) (PMP) periods, colonial practices changed land ownership. Contextualizing these periods within a biocultural political economy framework supports increasing social inequality in the PMP, which we expect to be reflected in different skeletal markers of longevity and stress. Therefore, we hypothesized that widespread exposure to stressors and resource deprivation contributed to lower longevity in the PMP compared to the LMP, and that there would be greater variation between sites in the frequency of linear enamel hypoplasias (LEH) in the PMP. We estimated age and counted matched pairs of LEH on 526 adult skeletons from the Irish counties of Dublin, Kildare, Louth, and Meath. Age-at-death was compared through Kaplan-Meier survival functions and non-parametric tests. Linear enamel hypoplasias prevalences were analyzed with Mann-Whitney U tests and Generalized Linear Models. Age-at-death distribution changed between the LMP and PMP for males, with males experiencing an increase in median-age-at-death. The same was untrue for females, who show no changes in median age-at-death. Analysis of LEH frequency per individual showed that variation between sites was significant in the post-medieval period but not in the late medieval period. These results suggest that social organization contributed to embodied health experiences that varied across time periods. Specifically, populations from the PMP appear to have embodied greater social inequality in their more varied susceptibility to stress. Our work demonstrates the strength of pairing historical texts with the analysis of skeletal remains to evaluate the impact of social structures on biological frailty.

Amir Temur's State and It’s Department

This study explores the governance system and administrative reforms implemented by Amir Timur, drawing from historical texts that highlight his consolidation of power and state-building efforts. Initially adopting Mongol administrative structures, Timur gradually reformed these systems to create a highly centralised state apparatus. Amir Timur’s state-building initiatives merged traditional Central Asian governance models with the Mongol administrative legacy. Initially adopting the Mongol structure, Timur later implemented extensive reforms to centralise authority and strengthen his empire. He established a complex administrative system divided into seven ministries, each responsible for functions such as taxation, trade, and justice. Timur's governance was deeply influenced by Islamic principles, emphasising sharia law and council deliberations to ensure stability. The "suyurgol" system allowed Timur to distribute land holdings among his descendants while retaining centralized control over key resources and military power. Through a blend of military conquests and diplomatic alliances, Timur expanded his empire, integrating vast territories and securing vital trade routes along the Silk Road, contributing to a unified and prosperous state.

Healthy in ancient and modern times

Background: Health practices have evolved from ancient holistic approaches to modern scientifically driven methods. This comparative study aims to explore the continuity and transformation in healthcare practices from ancient times to the present, highlighting the enduring principles of wellness and the advancements in medical science. Methods and Material: The research employs a comparative analysis of ancient health practices, such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, against modern health practices influenced by scientific and technological advancements. Sources include archaeological findings, historical texts, and contemporary scientific literature. Results: Ancient health practices emphasized a holistic approach, integrating diet, lifestyle, and spiritual practices to maintain balance and harmony. Modern health practices prioritize evidence-based treatments, technological interventions, and preventive care, leading to significant improvements in health outcomes. Both approaches highlight the importance of preventive measures, personalized care, and a comprehensive understanding of health and well-being. Conclusion: This study reveals that despite the methodological differences, the fundamental objective of fostering health and well-being remains constant across time. Integrating ancient wisdom with modern scientific advancements offers a more holistic approach to health, addressing physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of well-being.

Unveiling Patience: The Intersection of the Qur'an and Hadith in Buya Hamka’s Thought

This article examines the concept of patience in the thought of Buya Hamka, focusing on the integration between the Qur’an and hadith in Tafsir Al-Azhar. As a central theme in Islam, patience is not only understood as a passive reaction to adversity but as an active attitude reflecting spiritual strength and depth of faith. This article identifies how Buya Hamka interprets patience through the bi al-ma’thūr method, using hadith as an explanatory tool to deepen the meaning of patience-related verses. With a qualitative analysis that emphasizes textual study, this article presents evidence that Buya Hamka relates patience to social and individual contexts and creates practical guidance for Muslims in facing the challenges of daily life. Through this approach, the author shows how patience can serve as a tool to achieve emotional balance and mental resilience. The contribution of this study lies in the emphasis on the relevance of Hamka’s tafsir in the modern context, as well as the functionalization of hadith in expressing the profound values of patience. By filling an existing academic gap, this research offers new insights into the relationship between historical Islamic texts and contemporary spiritual practices, making Tafsir Al-Azhar an essential resource in guiding Muslims to understand and apply patience in their lives.

Large Language Models based on historical text could offer informative tools for behavioral science

Large Language Models based on historical text could offer informative tools for behavioral science

Paradox of Wars in Indian Writings: Traversing The Unintended Path to Peace

This paper is an exploration as to why wars become significant and important through historical journey to present times. Events that happened in the deepest of deep pasts continue to fascinate and attract humanity from around the globe. Continuous interpretations and re interpretations of the great Epics and other revered Indian texts have helped in preserving both the religious and cultural identity of not only the great Indian Sub Continent but the whole region that comes under South Asia. Wars under discussion are more than physical confrontations. Be it cosmic or human warfare, it serves to emphasize upon the inter connectedness that exists between the material realm and the spiritual one. Wars have cathartic effect on individuals. Examples of this can be seen in literary texts, historical texts and those penned down by great philosophers. These transformative events bring psychological release for individuals. There is emotional purification both at individual and collective level of societies. Aristotle says that, “Tragedy is an imitation of a serious and complete action, having magnitude, which through pity and fear bring about a catharsis of such emotions”. Catharsis comes with different explanations. The events arousing ‘cathartic’ effect mean that they are fully clarified for their role as being essential and with universal significance. The narrators of tragic events are probably meant to make readers move from particular to the general by making ‘reader spectator’ come face to face with what is known as the ‘universal law’.

Лексическая вариативность в руськомовных переводах Żywotów Świętych Петра Скарги: житие свт. Афанасия Великого

In order to clarify the textual history of manuscript copies of the Ruthenian Life of St Athanasius of Alexandria, translated from Piotr Skarga’s Żywoty Świętych, the article analyses the variety of the most frequent lexemes of the Life using methods of textual criticism. Variants of the seven considered lexemes of each of the 13 manuscript copies of the Life, grouped in tables, show the direction of lexical changes, as well as the interaction between manuscript copies of two different translations of the same Polish original. It is shown that the vocabulary of the manuscript copies Sof. 278, Sof. 279, KPL 370, KPL 371, CAM KDA 674 of the second more widespread translation must have been slightly edited according to the manuscript copy of NTŠ 322 (or a similar textual type) of the first translation. The manuscript copies EPARCH. 460, BN 15628 of the second translation contain traises of secondary interaction with a different type of texts. The data also shows the editing of lexems of the archetype Šept. 31, NTŠ 322 according to the manuscript copie of other translation. The results of the study of lexical variability complement and agree with the results of the analysis of the conflate readings and alternative textual variants found in the manuscript copies of St Athanasius' Life, according to which additional variants of the text were used in a number of manuscript copies of the Life during the rewriting of the antigraph.

METHODS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE TRANSLATION OF TEXTS WITH A HISTORICAL FOCUS

The relevance of this article is related to the ongoing demand for translators of historical texts. Since the dawn of writing, there has been a demand for translations of various chronicles, scrolls and manifestos. A similar situation persists to this day, only now the popular history genre is gaining more and more popularity. A historian, like a writer, can recreate events and the face of the past, although this scientific recreation differs from the artistic one. Based on historical data, the writer at the same time always takes the path of creative fiction, without which art is impossible, and the historian depicts only what was, historically based facts. An informative historical text does not tolerate fiction, yet it is an excellent source for gaining knowledge and learning about history.

Key role of PPAR-γ-mediated suppression of the NFκB signaling pathway in rutin's antidepressant effect

BackgroundDepression is a chronic and recurrent disorder with an unknown etiology. Efficacious antidepressant treatments with minimal side effects are urgently needed. Neuroinflammation may contribute to depression, as anti-inflammatory drugs have been shown to alleviate depressive symptoms in clinical practice. Rutin, a naturally occurring flavonoid derived from plants, is abundant in many antidepressant herbs, including Hemerocallis citrina Baroni. Historical Chinese medical texts, including the renowned Compendium of Materia Medica, document H. citrina Baroni as possessing antidepressant properties. Rutin, one of its primary active constituents, is recognized for its anti-inflammatory effects. Despite this, little is known about its specific target and mechanism. MethodsIn the present study, molecular docking, and surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) analysis were used to identify the special targets of rutin. Meanwhile, the potential antidepressant effects were evaluated in the chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) paradigm, an animal model of depression. Then, Western blotting, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) as well as antagonists of PPAR-γ were utilized to investigate the mechanism underlying the antidepressant effect of rutin. ResultsBoth molecular docking and SPRi analysis showed high docking scores and interactions between rutin and PPAR-γ. In vivo, rutin promoted the nuclear translocation of PPAR-γ in the hippocampus of mice, inhibited NFκB-mediated inflammatory pathways, and subsequently reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory factors (e.g., iNOS, IL-6), aligning with an antidepressant effect. However, this therapeutic effect was attenuated by GW9662, a specific antagonist of PPAR-γ. ConclusionAs a result of activating PPAR-γ and inhibiting NFκB pathway activation, rutin reduces neuroinflammation and exhibits an antidepressant effect. These findings shed light on the antidepressant mechanism of rutin and could be valuable for the development of new antidepressants.

VGTS: Visually Guided Text Spotting for novel categories in historical manuscripts

In the field of historical manuscript research, scholars frequently encounter novel symbols in ancient texts, investing considerable effort in their identification and documentation. Although existing object detection methods achieve impressive performance on known categories, they struggle to recognize novel symbols without retraining. To address this limitation, we propose a Visually Guided Text Spotting (VGTS) approach that accurately spots novel characters using just one annotated support sample. The core of VGTS is a spatial alignment module consisting of a Dual Spatial Attention (DSA) block and a Geometric Matching (GM) block. The DSA block aims to identify, focus on, and learn discriminative spatial regions in the support and query images, mimicking the human visual spotting process. It first refines the support image by analyzing inter-channel relationships to identify critical areas, and then refines the query image by focusing on informative key points. The GM block, on the other hand, establishes the spatial correspondence between the two images, enabling accurate localization of the target character in the query image. To tackle the example imbalance problem in low-resource spotting tasks, we develop a novel torus loss function that enhances the discriminative power of the embedding space for distance metric learning. To further validate our approach, we introduce a new dataset featuring ancient Dongba hieroglyphics (DBH) associated with the Naxi minority of China. Extensive experiments on the DBH dataset and other public datasets, including Egyptian Hieroglyph (EGY), Historical Arabic Documents (HAD), Tripitaka Koreana in Han (TKH), and Notary Charters (NC), show that VGTS consistently surpasses state-of-the-art methods. The proposed framework exhibits great potential for application in historical manuscript text spotting, enabling scholars to efficiently identify and document novel symbols with minimal annotation effort.

Mithila Women in the Past and Present: A Journey of Resilience and Transformation

This paper explores the multifaceted journey of Mithila women, tracing their evolution from historical to contemporary times. Situated in the culturally rich region of Mithila, spanning parts of Northern India and Nepal, these women have been the custodians of a profound heritage characterized by resilience and adaptability. The paper delves into their roles within traditional societal frameworks, where they have long been pivotal in maintaining cultural practices such as the renowned Madhubani art. Through examining historical texts, cultural studies, and contemporary research, this study highlights Mithila women's enduring strength and agency. Despite rigid patriarchal structures and socio-economic challenges, Mithila women have continually carved out spaces for self-expression and empowerment. The paper investigates the transformative impact of education, economic participation, and political involvement on their lives. It emphasises how access to education has not only enhanced their capacities but also contributed to the socio economic development of their communities. The rise of Mithila women in local governance and their increasing role in Panchayati Raj institutions signify a shift towards greater political empowerment and social change. Ultimately, this paper aims to contribute to the broader discourse on gender and development by offering insights into the unique experiences of Mithila women. It underscores their journey of resilience and transformation as a testament to their enduring spirit and as a critical aspect of the region's socio-cultural fabric. The study calls for sustained efforts to address the challenges faced by Mithila women and to support their ongoing journey towards equality and empowerment.

실천적 역사인식으로서 역사 문해력의 성격과 구성요소

This study aims to elucidate the nature and elements of ‘historical literacy as practical historical consciousness’. The practicality discernible in historical texts can be divided into the practicality of historical agents, text authors, and learners. ‘Reading the practicality of the historical agent’ is to explore the purpose he/she wanted to achieve through the recognition of the historical situation and the analysis of his actions. ‘Reading the text author’s practicality’ focuses on inferring why the author selected the contents in the text and construct the text in such way. ‘Reading the learner’s practicality’ is reading the text in light of the social problem he/she is trying to solve. These aspects of practicality and the interaction between knowledge, inquiry and historical consciousness must be considered and the critical perspective should be involved in extracting the elements that constitute historical literacy. This study’s attempt to concretize the meaning of historical literacy around practicality may offer meaningful insights for reconstructing the teaching and learning of historical literacy around activities connected to students’ lives.

Transference and countertransference in couples therapy

This article, initially presented as part of the series “Lectures from the Tavistock Relationship Model”, aims to give a brief overview of the development and current understanding and usage of the central psychoanalytic concepts of transference and countertransference in psychoanalytic couple therapy. The article discusses the clinical manifestations of the above concepts and compares and contrasts these phenomena in couple work with how they might manifest in individual analytic treatment. The author argues that the terrain of transference and countertransference in analytically informed couple therapy is multi‐layered, offering challenges and opportunities for the therapist. Some of the clinical challenges of working analytically with couples in the transference and formulating interpretations based on the therapist’s countertransference are highlighted. It is suggested that, while the triangular setting of psychoanalytic couple therapy can invite enactments that draw in the therapist, these enactments taking place in the triadic setting made up of the couple and their therapist also offer rich opportunities for working through the couple‐patients’ deepseated oedipal complexes which permeate the problematic relationship presented in couple therapy. The above is illustrated throughout by reference to historical texts from the Tavistock Relationship tradition, as well as literary examples, such as Jane Austen’s novel, 'Persuasion'.

The Impact of Using Doodling in The Educational Environment On the Degree of Learning of Educational Material

Introduction. This article is devoted to the study of doodling as a process of unconscious drawing by students during active thinking activity under experimental conditions. The relevance of the study is conditioned by the expressed public demand for the development and implementation of new methods and technologies in the modern educational process. The novelty of the study lies in the relatively low level of study of this phenomenon to date and the contradictory nature of the available practical data on its effectiveness. Thus, the presented work will help to supplement the still unstable scientific understanding of such a widespread phenomenon as “drawing on the margins”. Objective. To compare the degree of learning of educational material in students when using doodling and the classical method of memorization on the basis of historical text. Materials and Methods. Forty-eight psychology students at SFU, aged 17 to 22 years, 43 of them women and 5 men, were chosen as subjects. The subjects were divided into control and experimental groups, each of which was read a historical text. Then, 30‒40 minutes after the end of the experiment, each group completed the author’s questionnaire of 10 open-ended questions on the listened material. The results of each subject were evaluated by the degree of the completeness of answers and summarized for each group to then find the average value for each and compare. Results. The experimental group, which used doodling techniques, showed noticeably worse learning and reproduction results than the control group. Discussion. The results obtained are partially reflected in the work of other authors who were unable to reproduce the data, showing the advantages of doodling in memorizing information. It can be assumed that the results of the experiment were influenced by the relatively small size of the stimulus material and the morning time of the experiment: the subjects did not have time to tire, so they did not have a natural need for additional methods of attention retention. Perhaps, for this reason, a natural experiment could show better results on the use of doodling than a laboratory experiment. It is alsopossible that this method is only useful for people with certain characteristics. Further experimental studies with other conditions of doodling playback in different educational environments, subjects, and stimulus material are needed to clarify the phenomenon.

Psychoanalysis and psychedelics: The censored story in Argentina

This essay examines the combination of psychoanalytic therapy and psychedelic substances in mid-20th century Argentina. Through document analysis, it examines the intersection of psychedelics and psychoanalysis, drawing from historical texts and writings by local psychoanalysts to develop a comprehensive understanding of the distinctive clinical practices and therapeutic approaches in the Argentine context. It details the experimental use of these substances, the clinical practices developed, and the professional and societal challenges encountered. Notably, psychoanalysts Luisa de Álvarez de Toledo, Alberto Tallaferro, and Alberto Fontana conducted pioneering research, exploring the therapeutic potential of these substances and publishing their findings in academic papers and books. According to these psychoanalysts, the use of psychedelic drugs in therapy could enhance transference, catalyze catharsis, and circumvent unconscious defenses, allowing for a vivid exploration of the patient's psyche that necessitated interpretation. Despite the innovative nature of this work, resistance from within the Argentine Psychoanalytic Association led to the eventual cessation of psychedelic research in this country. The essay calls for a reconsideration of the psychoanalytic community's relationship with psychedelics, emphasizing the potential for renewed dialogue and incorporation of these substances in contemporary therapeutic practices. In conclusion, this article sheds light on an overlooked chapter of psychoanalysis in a local setting and serves as a call for future explorations in broader scenarios. The resurgence of interest in psychedelics for mental health treatment presents an opportunity for psychoanalysts to engage with emerging research, enriching both theory and practice.