Define the words theory of History base on the Greek and Roman times. Please give the answer in essay form of introduction in one paragraph.

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The theory of history, particularly as it emerged during the Greek and Roman times, represents a foundational exploration of the past that has significantly influenced our understanding of human civilization. This conceptual framework is rooted in the contributions of thinkers such as Herodotus and Thucydides, who are often regarded as the fathers of historiography for their methodologies and insights into the nature of historical events and human behavior. In this era, history was not simply a record of dates and events but a profound inquiry into the causes and consequences of actions, the moral and ethical lessons that can be gleaned from the past, and the broader patterns of social and political development. Moreover, the interplay between individual agency and larger historical forces was a key theme, as these early historians sought to reconcile the roles of gods, fate, and human initiative in shaping the course of human affairs. Thus, the theory of history as conceived in Greek and Roman thought lays the groundwork for subsequent historiographical approaches, establishing a dialogue between the past and present that continues to resonate in contemporary historical discourse.