Wickham – författare

Since 1989, there have been many claims that Marxist approaches to history are out of date. As the challenge of more recent events shows, however, history has not stopped and historical change continues to need explanation. There is still plenty of space for structural analysis of how history in all periods develops, and a Marxism un-linked to the Soviet past offers to many the most rigorous of these approaches. This volume explores from a wide variety of perspectives what Marxism has done for history-writing and what it can, or cannot, still do. Eight prominent historians and social scientists give their perspectives, both from Marxist and from non-Marxist positions, on the current state of history and what role Marxist analysis has in it. The volume is an important contribution to current historical debates, and will be of essential interest to historians and social scientists, and all those interested in how to explain history and politics.

Two texts are presented in English translation here. The first is what remains of a historical work Hilary wrote against two distinguished contemporary bishops, Valens and Ursacius, whose intervention on behalf of the Emperor Constantius Hilary thought disastrous. They throw a flood of light upon scenes of disarray, violence and betrayal in the Church life of the fourth century.