To understand the present, one must look into the past. Man has always sought to learn more about himself: how did he appear, why was he born in this particular family, under these conditions, at this time, in this country? There is definitely something mystical about the answers to these questions. There have always been individuals who had, as it were, a certain mission on earth, their fate and life influenced large groups of other people. Legends are composed about such persons, their life is analyzed, the works of many modern historians are devoted to the characterization of historical figures.
What is meant by the expression "historical figure"
There are many people who influenced the course of history. There are various works that tell in detail about the life of such characters. This article deals with historical figures, that is, people whose activities and lives influenced the course of important events that took place in a particular period of time. Studying historical epochs, one can find messages about them in almost everypeople. But their formation and activities were different.
The development of man in the ancient world
Whether there were outstanding personalities in the era of the primitive communal system is a moot point. Then man was interested in the most primitive things, his existence was more like the existence of animals. Personality is a person who is aware of his "I". The initial stage in the development of human thinking in the ancient world is associated with mythology, in which one can find the beginnings of religion and art, which became the basis for understanding the universe.
The most cunning and quick-witted became priests, they were feared and revered by the rest of the tribe. One of the first civilizations of antiquity was Egypt. The pharaohs and priests had to strengthen and maintain their power, they were inventive, numerous ceremonies and traditions directed the mass consciousness to their reverence and fear of the gods. Egyptian pharaohs, Chinese emperors, Sumerian kings can be considered the first outstanding personalities in history who had a huge impact on the whole people through their own deification. Many centuries passed before each person began to perceive himself as a unique person, realized his place in society.
Ancient world
The emergence of writing in Sumer in the form of cuneiform writing, the invention of paper in China contributed to the rapid development of scientific and spiritual knowledge. Antique culture originated in ancient Rome and ancient Greece. The Hellenes knew how to borrow, apply, improve the inventions of other peoples.
Characterization of the historical personality of Antiquity can be given by studying the life and work of prominent Greek scientists, whose names are known to this day. For example, Hippocrates became the founder of medicine, Herodotus - history, Euclid - geometry, Archimedes - physics, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Aristophanes - theater, Strabo - geography. The development of trade and the mixing of cultures contributed to the development of various peoples. The impact of the activities of the great people of this historical period on the development of mankind is invaluable. Until now, all the doctors of the world pronounce the Hippocratic oath, in schools they begin geometry with the sections set out by Euclid in the work "Beginnings", they study the law of Archimedes in the course of physics.
Middle Ages
With the fall of the Roman Empire begins the era of the Middle Ages. Barbarians from the West and invaders from the depths of Central Asia have made their own amendments to the development of human civilization. Scientists usually characterize the historical personality of the Middle Ages taking into account the numerous wars of that time. These military conflicts gave birth to their heroes: Genghis Khan, Tamerlane, Richard the Lionheart, Joan of Arc.
Outstanding personalities appeared on the arena of history: invaders and brave warriors, knights and kings. The spread of Christianity, the Crusades and the Inquisition brought prohibitions and fear of the Supreme Court into the lives of ordinary people. Society condemned the free development of the individual, planted religious complexes. The development of science and technology has slowed down.
EraRevival
The decline of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the Renaissance are associated with the invention of mass printing. A period of reassessment of knowledge began, the achievements of Antiquity were rediscovered. An inquisitive attitude to the world, a craving for knowledge was encouraged. The most prominent representative of the Renaissance is Leonardo da Vinci. He was an artist, and a sculptor, and a musician, and a writer, and a scientist, and an engineer, and an inventor.
Society admired the talents, which inspired people of genius to show and develop their abilities. The historical period of the Renaissance gave impetus to the accelerated development of self-knowledge of man as a person. To this day, people line up at museums to admire the paintings of Renaissance artists. Many of them can be attributed to historical figures.
New time
In the era of the development of capitalism, not a quiet, harmless, humble person from the Middle Ages was valued, but a decisive, purposeful and active one. Famous historical figures of the New Age are princes, emperors, politicians. Next to them were sailors, travelers, scientists, researchers. A separate person in the New Age played a big role, she could lead everyone.
What demands society makes, such people appear. This is the time of great discoveries, then were invented:
- steam locomotive;
- electricity;
- telegraph;
- phone;
- camera;
- subway.
Portraits of historicalpersonalities of that time can be found in museums, they depict great scientists such as Blaise Pascal, Mikhail Lomonosov, Nikola Tesla and others.
Recent Times
From the beginning of the 20th century, the countdown of the era of modern times began. The emergence of powerful new ideologies - communism and fascism - shocked humanity. The psychological influence of individuals on the broad masses has taken on a global character. The development of printing, radio, and later cinematography contributed to the rapid dissemination of information. Newspapers, leaflets, magazines, books become an instrument of political propaganda. Lenin "infected" the world with the ideas of communism. Hitler promoted fascism. Great orators become historical figures, their impact on huge masses can be compared to a long-term hypnosis session.
The second half of the 20th century was marked by rapid scientific and technological progress. Space exploration requires new heroes, so scientists, inventors, astronauts enter the arena of world fame.
Today, the characteristics of a historical person are compiled taking into account the new trends of the times. Today, an outstanding person is the leader of a successful group of like-minded people. An individual, even if he is extraordinarily talented, cannot himself surpass the achievements of a group of well-educated and specially trained professionals.
After the creation of the computer and the Internet, the needs of mankind are growing exponentially, technology is developing at lightning speed. Today, every person has every opportunity to findlike-minded people and become famous.
In the history of the world there are many great people who have significantly influenced the minds and lives of peoples and have driven progress. Famous historical figures even today shape the fate of peoples, they are loved or hated, entire periods are associated with their names. Each era is worthy of its heroes who appeared at the right time and in the right place.
