In the Greek and Latin canon a number of books are designated as “historical” which are classified as “prophetical” (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings) or “hagiographical” (Ruth, Esther 1:1–10:4, Ezra and Nehemiah, Chronicles) in the Hebrew Bible, or again are considered deuterocanonical (Tobit, Judith, Esther 10:4–16:24, Maccabees). Apart from Maccabees, the “historical books” are divided between the work of th…