literature helps us understand references made in more modern literature because authors often reference mythology and other old religious texts to describe ancient civilizations such as the hellenes and the egyptians. not only is there literature written on each of the aforementioned topics themselves, and how they have evolved throughout history (like a book about the history of economics or a book about evolution and science, for example) but one can also learn about these things in fictional works. authors often include historical moments in their works, like when lord byron talks about the spanish and the french in "childe harold's pilgrimage: canto i" and expresses his opinions through his character childe harold. through literature we are able to continuously uncover new information about history. it is easy to see how all academic fields have roots in literature. information became easier to pass down from generation to generation once we began to write it down. eventually everything was written down, from things like home remedies and cures for illness, or how to build shelter to traditions and religious practices. from there people were able to study literature, improve on ideas, further our knowledge, and academic fields such as the medical field or trades could be started. in much the same way as the literature that we study today continue to be updated as we continue to evolve and learn more and more.