<P> The proverbial Philippic attacks of the Athenian orator Demosthenes (384--322 BCE) on Philip II of Macedon marked the height of ancient political agitation . The now lost history of Alexander's campaigns by the diadoch Ptolemy I (367--283 BCE) may represent the first historical work composed by a ruler . Polybius (c. 203--120 BCE) wrote on the rise of Rome to world prominence, and attempted to harmonize the Greek and Roman points of view . </P> <P> The Chaldean priest Berossus (fl . 3rd century BCE) composed a Greek - language History of Babylonia for the Seleucid king Antiochus I, combining Hellenistic methods of historiography and Mesopotamian accounts to form a unique composite . Reports exist of other near - eastern histories, such as that of the Phoenician historian Sanchuniathon; but he is considered semi-legendary and writings attributed to him are fragmentary, known only through the later historians Philo of Byblos and Eusebius, who asserted that he wrote before even the Trojan war . </P> <P> The Romans adopted the Greek tradition, writing at first in Greek, but eventually chronicling their history in a freshly non-Greek language . While early Roman works were still written in Greek, the Origines, composed by the Roman statesman Cato the Elder (234--149 BCE), was written in Latin, in a conscious effort to counteract Greek cultural influence . It marked the beginning of Latin historical writings . Hailed for its lucid style, Julius Caesar's (100--44 BCE) de Bello Gallico exemplifies autobiographical war coverage . The politician and orator Cicero (106--43 BCE) introduced rhetorical elements in his political writings . </P> <P> Strabo (63 BCE--c. 24 CE) was an important exponent of the Greco - Roman tradition of combining geography with history, presenting a descriptive history of peoples and places known to his era . Livy (59 BCE--17 CE) records the rise of Rome from city - state to empire . His speculation about what would have happened if Alexander the Great had marched against Rome represents the first known instance of alternate history . </P>

When determining causation regarding a historical event historians must