The "Father of History." Herodotus, the great Greek historian, was born around 484 BC in Halicarnassus of Caria, in Asia Minor, when it was under the strict influence of the Persians. He traveled extensively throughout many areas of Asia Minor, Egypt (as far as Aswan), North Africa, Syria, the regions north of the Black Sea, as well as many parts of the Aegean and mainland Greece. He seems to have resided for some time in Athens, and in 443 BC he moved with other colonists to the new city of Thurii (in Southern Italy), where he died around 430 BC.
He was "the representative of the bard, a storyteller of the deeds of real men and a describer of foreign lands" (Murray). Herodotus' famous account of the war between the Greeks and Persians has an epic dignity that enhances its enjoyable style. It includes the rise of Persian power and a reference to the Persian Empire, a description and history of Egypt, and an extensive digression on the geography and customs of Scythia. Even in the later books concerning the Persian invasions of Greece, there are digressions. All this is extremely entertaining and produces a great unity.
After personal research and study of testimonies and other evidence, Herodotus offers us a not uncensored assessment of the best he was able to find. The Loeb Classical Library edition of Herodotus is in four volumes.
Pages: 448, Year of Publication: 0101, Dimensions: 10.8x10.8cm
