Annalists

Annalists are historians who write annals, which are chronological records of events, typically arranged year by year. The primary characteristic of annals is their focus on recording events in a sequential, structured format, often without deep analysis or interpretation. Annalistic writing emphasizes what happened and when, rather than why it happened or its broader historical significance.

Traditionally, annalists documented events of political, military, and social importance within a particular region or community. Their work served as a repository of information for future generations, providing a framework for understanding the passage of time and the evolution of societal structures.

Annalistic accounts are often characterized by brevity and factual accuracy, prioritizing conciseness over narrative depth. While not always comprehensive, they offer a valuable source of information for historians seeking to reconstruct the past. They are frequently raw source material upon which more developed historical narratives are built. The emphasis is on the accumulation of data, forming a foundation for subsequent historical research and interpretation.