Abstract
The distinctive nature of Renaissance historiography determines much of its structural and narrative dynamics. While B. G. Villani's view of history must still be viewed as medieval, for example, that of Poggio Bracciolini and Machiavelli illustrates a new focus on theoretical aspects of social processes. Conversely, Guicciardini rejected the new theoretical basis for viewing events "cyclically," which he thought violated the nature of historical individuality.