The admonition that we should learn from history is well known. But what does that actually mean? Advocates of 'applied history' argue that historical studies can be used in practice and provide guidance for the future. But the growing popularity of applied history obscures the fact that ever since Ancient Greece, historians have analysed the big political, economic and military issues from similar perspectives and approaches. Each generation of historians has developed their research based on previous ideas and knowledge, with the goal of understanding their own era by studying the past. This volume takes a broad approach to how historical knowledge is created, taught and used in different periods. A wide range of texts are presented, creating an overview of, as well as insight into, this always topical subject.