Department of History, Faculty of Arts

Abstract.
The 18th century witnessed a wide-ranging scientific and philosophical movement of a revolutionary nature, known as the Enlightenment. This movement was supported by governments and academic institutions that fostered the exchange of ideas among intellectuals. It also marked significant historical transformations in the fields of discoveries, innovations, and the growing emphasis on modernity. The society transitioned from relying on superstitions and myths to embracing a history based on factual information and proper documentation. This shift is the reason for choosing this topic.

• Thus, it can be said that history began to take a scientific direction based on documentation.
• Before the 18th century, historical documentation primarily focused on literature, reflections, myths, royal praises, and an interest in the supernatural and extraordinary forces. However, with the Enlightenment, history took on its scientific form, with well-established rules and principles. The focus of historians shifted from merely political affairs and events to history as a practical and objective science.
• Historians exerted significant effort to investigate important historical topics. During this century, philosophers and historians such as Vico, Voltaire, Gibbon, Hume, Montesquieu, Rousseau, Adam Smith, Condorcet, and others emerged, whose philosophies and perspectives on history were explored in this research.