történettudományt

történettudomány is the Hungarian term for the academic discipline known as history. It concerns the systematic study of past events, societies, and cultures through critical analysis of primary and secondary sources. The field is interdisciplinary, drawing on archaeology, anthropology, sociology, political science, economics, literature, and the natural sciences to construct comprehensive narratives and theories about the human past.

A core methodological principle of történettudomány is source criticism, which evaluates the authenticity, reliability, and context of texts, inscriptions, artifacts, and oral traditions. Historians employ various approaches, including the socio‑historical method that examines social structures, the political historiography that focuses on power relations, and the cultural history that interprets meanings, symbols, and ideologies. Comparative methods and quantitative techniques, such as cliometrics, have also become integral tools.

The discipline emerged in the 19th century, influenced by Enlightenment ideals of rational inquiry and the professionalization of scholarship. In Hungary, historical studies gained prominence in the 19th and early 20th centuries, contributing to nation‑building narratives and the formation of national identity. Post‑World War II historiography in Eastern Europe adapted to Marxist frameworks, emphasizing class struggle and economic determinism, before liberalizing in the late 20th century.

Modern történettudomány is characterized by a pluralistic approach that recognizes multiple perspectives and incorporates new technologies like digital humanities. Its aim remains to deepen our understanding of how the past shapes the present and informs future trajectories.