Herodotus: The Histories By Brian Yablon

Who was Herodotus?  He was a Greek man from Ionia.  Born ca 484 BCE in Halicarnassus, now Bodrum in southwestern Turkey.  Probably spent time on the island of Samos as well as in Athens.  Died ca 425 BCE at Thurii or Pella in Macedon.  Arguably the first historian.  He was a Greek man from Ionia.  Born ca 484 BCE in Halicarnassus, now Bodrum in southwestern Turkey.  Probably spent time on the island of Samos as well as in Athens.  Died ca 425 BCE at Thurii or Pella in Macedon.  Arguably the first historian.

The Ancient World

Classical Greek Timeline

What does “History” Mean?  “Historia” meant “research” or “inquiries” in ancient Greece.

Reputation  Father of History –First person to record events for posterity other than Greek poets. –Unbiased, covered foreign cultures, customs, without judgments.  Father of History –First person to record events for posterity other than Greek poets. –Unbiased, covered foreign cultures, customs, without judgments.  Father of Lies –During his lifetime, and for centuries afterward, Herodotus was not taken seriously.  Father of Lies –During his lifetime, and for centuries afterward, Herodotus was not taken seriously.

Herodotus’ World View

The Real Story  Herodotus tries to tell the story of the Greco- Persian war, which really happened in three big episodes:  The Ionian Revolt  Mt. Athos and Marathon  Thermopylae, Salamis, and Plataea.  Herodotus tries to tell the story of the Greco- Persian war, which really happened in three big episodes:  The Ionian Revolt  Mt. Athos and Marathon  Thermopylae, Salamis, and Plataea.

The Ionian Revolt  BCE.  In 499 the ruler of Miletus rebels against their Persian overlords.  In 498, with help from Athens and Eretria, Sardis (seat of the Persian satrap) is burnt.  In 494, Persian King Darius captures Miletus and the revolt ends.  BCE.  In 499 the ruler of Miletus rebels against their Persian overlords.  In 498, with help from Athens and Eretria, Sardis (seat of the Persian satrap) is burnt.  In 494, Persian King Darius captures Miletus and the revolt ends. Miletus

Mt. Athos and Marathon  In 492 Darius send ships to defeat the Greeks but they sink in a storm near Mt. Athos.  In 490 he sends another force that is defeated by the Athenians on the field of Marathon.  In 492 Darius send ships to defeat the Greeks but they sink in a storm near Mt. Athos.  In 490 he sends another force that is defeated by the Athenians on the field of Marathon.

Darius and Xerxes  Darius dies in 486. His son Xerxes continues the conquest of the Greeks.  In 480 he wins at Thermopylae, his fleet loses off of Salamis, and in 479 his land force loses at Plataea. Xerxes gives up his conquest at that point.  Darius dies in 486. His son Xerxes continues the conquest of the Greeks.  In 480 he wins at Thermopylae, his fleet loses off of Salamis, and in 479 his land force loses at Plataea. Xerxes gives up his conquest at that point.

The Histories  Written between 431 BCE and 425 BCE.  Originally written on nine scrolls -- later editors divided The Histories into nine books, each named after a Muse.  Written between 431 BCE and 425 BCE.  Originally written on nine scrolls -- later editors divided The Histories into nine books, each named after a Muse.  Each book can be subdivided into three units, the “logoi” or overview.  Organized around one central theme -- the expansion of the Achaemenid (Persian) empire between 550 BCE and 479 BCE.  Each book can be subdivided into three units, the “logoi” or overview.  Organized around one central theme -- the expansion of the Achaemenid (Persian) empire between 550 BCE and 479 BCE.

His Sources  Supposedly, he traveled all around the known world.  He interviewed: priests from Greece, Egypt, and Babylon; Africans, Arabs, Carthaginians, Cypriotes, Egyptians, Greeks, Italians, Palestinians, Persians, Phoenicians, and Scythians.  Supposedly, he traveled all around the known world.  He interviewed: priests from Greece, Egypt, and Babylon; Africans, Arabs, Carthaginians, Cypriotes, Egyptians, Greeks, Italians, Palestinians, Persians, Phoenicians, and Scythians.  He offers readers different versions of the same event.  However, it is likely that he “improved” upon many stories.  He was also very well read and new the literature of the age as well as several original sources.  He offers readers different versions of the same event.  However, it is likely that he “improved” upon many stories.  He was also very well read and new the literature of the age as well as several original sources.

The Prologue  Resembles Homer’s Iliad in intent -- to preserve the memory of the past by recording events and achievements.

Book 1  Begins alluding to Homer’s tale of Troy.  Croesus was first eastern king to attack Greek freedom.  Early histories of Athens, Sparta, Persia. Growth of Persian power.  Begins alluding to Homer’s tale of Troy.  Croesus was first eastern king to attack Greek freedom.  Early histories of Athens, Sparta, Persia. Growth of Persian power. Croesus Helen of Troy

Book 2  Cambyses becomes king of Persian Empire ( BCE) and invades Egypt.  Long digression exploring Egypt, the Nile, religion, and customs.  Cambyses becomes king of Persian Empire ( BCE) and invades Egypt.  Long digression exploring Egypt, the Nile, religion, and customs.

Book 3  Three Magi overtake the Persian throne.  All Magi are killed.  Darius becomes king.  Three Magi overtake the Persian throne.  All Magi are killed.  Darius becomes king.

Book 4  Darius decides to attack the Scythian tribes that live in the north (what is now Ukraine).  Circumnavigation of Africa.  Persian conquest of Libya.  Darius decides to attack the Scythian tribes that live in the north (what is now Ukraine).  Circumnavigation of Africa.  Persian conquest of Libya. Scythian’s: “Pointed Hat Men”

Book 5  Beginning of fighting between Greece and Persia; conquest of Thrace.  Ionian revolt.  Athens and Sparta.  Beginning of fighting between Greece and Persia; conquest of Thrace.  Ionian revolt.  Athens and Sparta. A hoplite; Persepolis.

Book 6  Persians put down rebellion in Ionia.  Darius sends a fleet to subdue Athens, but it sinks.  He demands “earth and water” but Athens and Sparta refuse.  Persians attack. Spartans refrain from battle, but Athenians carry the day.  Persians put down rebellion in Ionia.  Darius sends a fleet to subdue Athens, but it sinks.  He demands “earth and water” but Athens and Sparta refuse.  Persians attack. Spartans refrain from battle, but Athenians carry the day.

Book 7  Darius decides to enslave all of Greece and Europe but dies before that can happen.  His son Xerxes launches a massive army.  Battle at Thermopylae.  Darius decides to enslave all of Greece and Europe but dies before that can happen.  His son Xerxes launches a massive army.  Battle at Thermopylae.

Book 8  Sea battles off of Artemisium.  Battles off of Salamis.  Further revolts against the Persians.  Xerxes and his army retreat, but leave a small land contingent.  Sea battles off of Artemisium.  Battles off of Salamis.  Further revolts against the Persians.  Xerxes and his army retreat, but leave a small land contingent. Themistocles, Greek naval commander.

Book 9  Persians burn Athens.  Athenians defeat Persians at Plataea.  Spartans chase and destroy Persian armies, free Ionia.  These victories signify the end of the Persian conquest of Greece.  Persians burn Athens.  Athenians defeat Persians at Plataea.  Spartans chase and destroy Persian armies, free Ionia.  These victories signify the end of the Persian conquest of Greece.

How is all of this Relevant?  “His greatest relevance is, first, the openness and broadmindedness of his enquiry -- in Greek history nothing human was alien to him -- and second, his enlightened toleration of the customs of 'others', which extended even to toleration of funerary cannibalism.”

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