The performativity of historical knowledge. The concept of "history" in Hobbes's philosophical system

This essay examines Hobbes's concept of history since his translation of Thucydides' work until the writing of Behemoth. The analysis consists of three key moments: the importance of history for the initial acquisition of practical prudence, the devaluation of historical knowledge when Hobbes builds his deductive scientia civilis, and finally the revaluation of history as a fundamental support to his political science. This last point shows the inadequacy of the coercive logic and the consequent necessity of the historiographical instrument.