Characteristics of the earliest historical fictions include a focus on important historical periods or events. For instance, 'The Histories' focused on the Greco - Persian Wars among other events. They also had a certain level of embellishment. Since they were not strictly historical records, the authors added fictional details to make the stories more interesting. In addition, they were used to create a sense of national or cultural identity. 'The Aeneid' was used to promote Roman identity by linking it to the heroic deeds of Aeneas in a fictionalized account of the past.
If we consider 'We' as the earliest dystopian novel, one characteristic is extreme state control. In 'We', the state dictates every aspect of people's lives.
The earliest graphic novel, like 'The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck', often had simple yet expressive illustrations. The narrative was usually straightforward, guiding the reader through the story with a clear beginning, middle, and end. The use of panels was basic but effective in sequencing the events.
One of the earliest examples of historical fiction is 'The Histories' by Herodotus. It was written in the 5th century BC. Although it is mainly a historical account, it contains elements that can be considered early forms of historical fiction as it includes stories, anecdotes, and descriptions of different cultures and events in a somewhat narrative and engaging way.
Historical fiction books often have characters whose actions are influenced by the historical period they are in. So, if it's a book about the American Civil War, a character's decisions might be related to slavery or states' rights. Also, these books can help readers understand the sequence of historical events better by presenting them in an engaging story format.
Early science fiction works were not always based on strict scientific facts. They were more about speculating. Take 'A Voyage to the Moon' for instance. It was more about the idea of going to the moon rather than a scientifically accurate account. And they usually had elements of adventure, as the characters were often embarking on extraordinary journeys in uncharted territories.
They often had elements of courtly love. For example, in 'Le Morte d'Arthur', knights showed extreme loyalty and devotion to the ladies they loved, which was a key part of courtly love.
And 'A True Story' by Lucian of Samosata from the 2nd century AD has some science fiction elements. It has things like space travel and meetings with aliens, even though it was more of a satirical piece at the time.
The earliest science fiction often had a sense of wonder about the future and new technologies. It might explore concepts like space travel, even though the understanding of science was much more limited back then. For example, Jules Verne's works like 'From the Earth to the Moon' showed early ideas of space exploration.
The earliest female detective, like Loveday Brooke, was observant. She noticed small details that others missed, which was crucial for solving mysteries. Also, she was independent. She didn't rely on male counterparts to do the detective work.
One of the problems is that historical fiction can sometimes create false impressions. For instance, if an author focuses too much on a single aspect or character in a historical period, readers might think that was the only important thing going on. Additionally, the challenge of getting the right balance between historical facts and fictional elements is difficult. Too much focus on facts can make the story dull, but too much fictional license can make it unrecognizable as being set in a particular historical context.