kronike

Kronike is a term found in several languages used to denote a chronicle, a historical narrative or collection of records arranged in roughly chronological order. The word derives from Latin chronica, via Greek chronikon, and has cognates in various Germanic languages. In historical manuscripts, a kronike typically gathers events, rulers, or local happenings over a period, often focusing on a specific region, institution, or era. The form emphasizes sequence and chronology rather than analysis, and chroniclers may be anonymous or named.

In modern usage, kronike can appear as a title or label in scholarly or literary contexts, though in contemporary Norwegian and Danish journalism the closest term for an opinion piece is kronikk. Kronike as a journalistic term is less common today and may be considered archaic or regional in some contexts. The distinction between a kronike and an annal lies mainly in structure and scope: annals record events year by year without a supporting narrative, while a kronike often weaves events into a sustained, chronological narrative, though it remains more limited in interpretation than a full history.

Today the concept persists in studies of medieval and early modern literature and in the cataloging and discussion of historical works. Related terms include chronicle, annal, and chronography.