Question

In the study of history, what is one major difference between a theme and a period?

Answer 1

Themes looks at patterns in history, which often overlap in the time plane, while period look at specific timelines.

Historians  look for certain patterns or themes, which they use as tools to help them gain an understanding of the events. Themes can be classified into either geographical or historical. Periods or eras however are distinct timelines in history which historians divides into various eras.