First book of herodotus histories the british library. Herodotus claims to have traveled extensively around the ancient world, conducting interviews and collecting stories for his book, almost all of which covers territories of the persian empire. Back to cambyses, the ruler of the persians, who was getting ready to attack egypt. Cambyses, by the advice of a certain egyptian, who was angry with amasis for having torn him from his wife. The book is an investigation of the origins of the. In later centuries it made its way to the jesuit college in. He traveled along the coast of asia minor to the northern islands and to the shore of the black sea. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 716 pages and is available in paperback format.
Prior to that were the illiad and the oddyse by homer during the 700s b. Few history books since can compare for sheer drama with herodotus s narrative of the persian invasions of greece. He is known for having written the book the histories greek. Written in 440 bc in the ionic dialect of classical greek, the histories serves as a record of the ancient traditions, politics, geography, and clashes of various cultures that were known in western asia, northern africa and greece at that time. The histories of herodotus of halicarnassus is considered the first work of history in western literature. Herodotus histories book i classical wisdom weekly. Our division of the histories in nine books goes back to an edition by scholars of the third century bce, working in the great library of alexandria. Only scant knowledge of his life can be gleaned from his writings and from references to him by later writings, notably the suda. The histories the only work produced by herodotus is thought to be the worlds first history book.
He describes the rise of the lydian empire under croesus, who first subdued the greek settlements on the. Known as the father of history, he was the first historian known to collect his materials systematically, test their accuracy to a certain extent, and arrange them in a wellconstructed and vivid narrative. After herodotus died, editors divided his histories into nine books. The histories ebook by herodotus official publisher page. Bc, greek historian, called the father of history, b. Herodotus traveled extensively around the ancient world, conducting interviews and collecting stories for his book. Thalia the abovementioned amasis was the egyptian king against whom cambyses, son of cyrus, made his expedition. Herodotus is a writer of greek history who lived during the 5th century bc, and his given purpose for writing the histories was to preserve the history of the greeks and nongreek populations, including the discoveries, achievements, and accomplishments of man, as well as the causes of the greek and persian conflicts.
See all books authored by herodotus, including the histories, and selections from herodotus, and more on. This is vol, 1 of 3 volumes of the librivox recording, comprising books 1 3 of the histories 9. I really enjoyed this book because it is the first book of history ever written by man. Here are presented the results of the enquiry carried out by herodotus of halicarnassus. Macaulay the first book clio book i the first book of the histories, called clio this is the showing forth of the inquiry of herodotus of halicarnassos, to the end that1 neither the deeds of. He was born around 490 bc in halicarnassus, on the southwest coast of asia minor. The history of herodotus by herodotus, part of the internet classics archive. The histories of herodotus, completed in the second half of the 5th century bc, is generally regarded as the first work of history and the first great masterpiece of nonfiction writing. Best history books nonfiction, the most influential books in history, history as litera.
Read the histories book 9 calliope by herodotus available from rakuten kobo. Its a book that changed the meaning of history forever, because in ancient. At the beginning of the histories, herodotus sets out his reasons for writing it. The internet classics archive the history of herodotus by. The main characters of this classics, non fiction story are. Called the father of history by cicero, the greek historian herodotus born in 484 b. The history of herodotus book i the first book of the histories, called clio this is the showing forth of the inquiry of herodotus of halicarnassos, to the end that1 neither the deeds of men may be forgotten by lapse of time, nor the works2 great and marvellous, which have been produced some by hellenes and some by barbarians, may. Herodotus was an ancient greek historian who lived in the fifth century bc c. The writings of herodotus were written to educate,amaze and to entertain. The sixth and seventh books of herodotus microform. Herodotus is often called the father of history, as he was the first writer to collect his materials systematically and critically, and to then arrange them into a historical narrative. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. It is written on paper and dates from some time before 1449, since an ownership inscription from that year is on f.
The history of herodotus volume 1 by herodotus free ebook. He seems to have travelled widely throughout the mediterranean world, including egypt, africa, the area around the black sea and throughout many greek citystates, of both the mainland and the islands. But the war between persia and greece is unimpeachable. One of our most popular histories is the landmark herodotus. Herodotus histories read by david timson unabridged. Herodotus histories book i translated into english by g. The latest volumes of the great books include some women writers, but they are still definitely underrepresented.
This manuscript contains the first book of herodotus histories. This brief account of the first half of herodotuss history not only conceals its infinite variety but is positively misleading insofar as it suggests a straightforward geographical, sociological, and historical description of a varied empire. Written in the second half of the 5th century bce, it aims to describe and explain the long history of conflict between greeks and nongreeks, culminating in the graecopersian wars of the early 5th century. Unquestionably the best english translation of herodotus to have appeared in the past halfcenturyi am in awe of tom hollands achievement, and have no doubt it will bear rich fruit in bringing herodotus to public attention edith hall, times literary supplement lively, engaging version of the historiesan admirable translation. His accounts of the great battles of marathon and thermopylae, of. Hide browse bar your current position in the text is marked in blue. Clio these are the researches of herodotus of halicarnassus, which he publishes, in the hope of thereby preserving from decay the remembrance of what men have done, and of preventing the great and wonderful actions of the greeks and the barbarians from losing their due meed of glory. Herodotus tries in 700 pages to sum up all that a wellinformed greek such as himself could learn about the real world, at least its geography, nations, cultures, flora and fauna, and mythical origins. The histories, however, is one of those books where an audiobook helps. The histories, which is the oldest history book in western civilization, was completed around 425 b. Nevertheless the insight of the great king was of dramatic importance for the histories of herodotus, for this led to the story of the false smerdis and his downfall. If only dionysus of halicarnassus commentedand then only obliquelyon how herodotus overreached his predecessors. In tales such as that of gygeswho murders candaules, the king of lydia, and unsurps his throne and his marriage bed, thereby bringing on, generations later, war with. The worlds first great narrative history, herodotuss the histories vividly describes how the greeksfew in number, poor, and disunitedmanaged to repulse a massive invasion by the powerful persian army in the 5th century b.
The nine books of the history of herodotus, oxford, henry slatter, 1837 page images at hathitrust herodotus. In this, the first prose history in european civilisation, herodotus describes the growth of the persian empire with force, authority and style. Herodotus account of the grecopersian wars was the only book he ever wrote. May 19, 2014 a delightful new translation of what is widely considered the first work of history and nonfiction. Its 750 pages of history and ethnography with a loose greek persian theme to it. Herodotus matteroffactly described his reign as lasting seven years and five months 3.
He traveled over much of the known ancient world, making trips to places such as southern italy, lower egypt, and the caucasus. The internet classics archive the history of herodotus. New translation, selections, backgrounds, commentaries norton critical editions by herodotus, walter blanco and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Our division of herodotus histories in nine books goes back to an edition by third century bce scholars, working in the great library of alexandria. The history of herodotus, the history of the peloponnesian war, by herodotus, thucydides and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Full audio books for everyone earns money off of the above links. On his arrival, being asked by artaphernes, the sardian satrap, what he thought was the reason that the ionians had rebelled, he made answer that he could not conceive, and it had. The histories by herodotus we recommend the landmark edition of herodotuss histories. In tales such as that of gygeswho murders candaules, the king of lydia, and unsurps his throne and his marriage bed, thereby bringing on, generations later, war with the persianshe laid bare the. The histories book 9 ebook by herodotus 9781627550185.
Herodotus is not only the father of the art and the science of historical writing but also one of the western traditions most compelling storytellers. Buy the histories penguin classics rev ed by herodotus, john m. Recurring themes relating to book one reappear with the persian empire retaining many of its problems, despite its development under darius. In book 1, herodotus announces his purpose to memorialize the great and marvelous deeds of the greeks and their barbarian neighbors, and, more particularly, to show why they came into conflict. Herodotus, also known as the father of history, lived in the 5th century b.
Herotoduss histories, which dates from around 425bc, is the earliest continuous greek text in prose to survive, according to regius professor of greek emeritus at oxford university, christopher pelling. There are very strong indications that this is not the original division. I managed to get through volume one and someday may take on volume two. Read the histories illustrated editioin by herodotus available from rakuten kobo. The histories by herodotus, first edition abebooks. This classic series represents the western canon not without academic controversy. Cambyses, the son of cyrus, is first described by herodotus at a time when his fathers reign was already about to end. Written about 440 bc, the histories tell the story of the war between the persian empire and the greek citystates in the 5th century bc.
Greek researcher, often called the worlds first historian. Godley 1856 1925 the histories of herodotus of halicarnassus is considered the first work of history in western. But i am so glad i read it, because there are moments in it that absolutely illuminated my understanding of ancient greece. Herodotus has a wonderful, gossipy style that makes reading these histories more fun than studying the rise of the persian empire and its clash with greecehowever, thats exactly what readers will do in this engaging history, which is full of interesting digressions and asides. Erato aristagoras, the author of the ionian revolt, perished in the way which i have described. Gathering research from his travels around egypt, africa, and asia, herodotus recorded his observations and interviews with locals in a thorough, consistent way. The histories by herodotus translated by george rawlinson this text was designed to accompany roman roads medias 4year video course old western culture. The histories, herodotus the histories of herodotus is the founding work of history in western literature. List of books and articles about herodotus online research. For more than seventy years, penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the englishspeaking world. Euterpe on the death of cyrus, cambyses his son by cassandane daughter of pharnaspes took the kingdom.
Histories, by herodotus, is an ancient greek text that tells the history of the wars between greece and persia. Jan 02, 2009 herodotus s account of the persian wars of 481479bc takes six books out of nine or 300odd pages of robin waterfields excellent english translation even to begin on the battle of marathon. On the legacy of the histories by herodotus, historian barry s. Meanwhile histiaeus, tyrant of miletus, who had been allowed by darius to leave susa, came down to sardis. Description witness the works and wonders of the ancient world through the eyes of its first great historian. Few history books since can compare for sheer drama with herodotuss narrative of the persian invasions of greece. The histories was at some point through the ages divided into the nine books of modern editions, conventionally named after the muses. The biblical writers borrowed from it to create characters such as the judges samson.
The histories by herodotus, volume 1 complete audio book. Herodotus seems to have traveled extensively around the ancient world, conducting interviews and collecting stories for his book. If you still cant decide which one you want, click here to view and exclusive comparison chart featuring the four translations of the histories. Herodotus is often described as the father of history, though plutarch described him as the father of lies. The reason was because an egyptian upset with his king, amasis, because he felt slighted by him for sending him to persia to be cyruss eye doctor. Herodotus was an ancient greek historian who was born in halicarnassus in the persian empire modernday bodrum, turkey. Jacketed herodotus is not only the father of the art and the science of historical writing but also one of the western traditions most compelling storytellers. Cambyses and madness cambyses enters the narrative as the son of cyrus the great looking to occupy egypt. While much of the information he gives has proved to be astonishingly accurate, he also entertains us with. Simultaneously, it tells the story of the growth of the persian empire. Liverpool university press is the uks third oldest university press, with a distinguished history of publishing exceptional research since 1899. From a number of complex circumstances, cambyses asked for amasis, the king of egypts daughter but, not wishing to give his daughter the position of a concubine, amasis sent a daughter of apries.
The histories, were divided into nine books, named after the nine muses. Dec 15, 2003 nevertheless the insight of the great king was of dramatic importance for the histories of herodotus, for this led to the story of the false smerdis and his downfall. Click anywhere in the line to jump to another position. Herodotus histories was very probably the longest single work written until the fourth century. In the histories, he describes the expansion of the achaemenid empire under its kings cyrus the great, cambyses, and darius i the great, culminating in xerxes expedition to greece 480 bce, which met with disaster in the naval engagement at salamis and the battles at plataea and mycale. Cambyses according to herodotus encyclopaedia iranica. The nine books of the history of herodotus, oxford, henry slatter, high street, 1846, also by peter edmund laurent. Free download or read online the histories pdf epub book. The rise of the persian empire is chronicled, and the causes for the conflict with greece.
But i will put it off for a bit as there is more out there of interest to me at this time. Reading herodotus, one can often get bogged down in the loops of geography, people, history, culture and meandre through miles of esoterica. He is simply one of the greatest storytellers who ever wrote. This is a fascinating book by the recognised father of history. It is full of astounding stories from the distant past up to around 2,500 years ago. Herodotus the histories, book 3, thalia 8 cambyses, king of persia, decided to go to war with the egyptians. Goodreads members voted the histories into the following lists. It contains marginal notes in both greek and latin. The first edition of the novel was published in 440, and was written by herodotus. The histories of herodotus is now considered as the founding work of history in western literature. Herodotus treats the conflict as an ideological one, frequently contrasting the absolute power of the persian king with the democratic government of the greeks.
Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Pdf the histories book by herodotus free download 716. Herodotus became the first person we know of to see the past in new and fresh waysnot as a distant recess shrouded in legend and rumor, but as something that lies close at hand. He achieved cinematic fame in the english patient 1992. The histories illustrated editioin ebook by herodotus. Written in the second half of the 5th century bce, it aims to describe and explain the long history. The histories have survived until this time despite attempts by subsequent writers to impeach herodotus and his version events up to the persian clash with greece. The historys structure is more complex than that, and so is the authors method of narration. Parallel englishgreek forgotten books herodotus on. Considered one of the most important works of history in western literature, herodotuss histories is a key text for the study of ancient greece and the persian. Written from the 450s to the 420s bc in the ionic dialect of classical greek, the histories serves as a record of the ancient traditions, politics, geography, and clashes of various cultures that were known around the mediterranean and western asia at that time.
The audiobook gives you a good pace and forcemarches you through to the end. The histories by herodotus and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Perhaps most famously, the book tells the heroic tale of the greeks resistance to the vast invading force assembled by xerxes, king of persia. The histories was at some point divided into the nine books that appear in modern editions, conventionally named after the nine. The histories was at some point divided into the nine books that appear in modern editions, conventionally named after the nine muses. Herodotus the histories book one book two book three book four book five book six book seven book eight book nine. This amazing upset victory changed the course of western civilization, as the cities that led the resistance.