The Histories (Penguin Classics)

'After the capture of Babylon, Darius invaded Scythia.' Thus commences book four of the Histories, and if these are the kind of words that set your pulse racing, your eyes going all dreamy, this book is for you. The ancient Greek historian's famous opus has an impressive geographical and chronological spread, and this, together with its precedence over most recovered documents of its type, explains why it is regarded as so important. Herodotus relates over a century of Persian expansion, including the Egyptian and other conquests, from about 600 BC, and of Persian conflict with the Greeks, culminating in his compatriots' victories at Salamis and Platea. As it is explained in the notes and introduction, much of his account has been reaffirmed by modern historical and archaeological research, some of it over earlier condemnations, though much is also being questioned. Indeed, intriguingly, this rings both as history as we understand it and as something else. Herodotus explicitly aims to make an objective and truthful account, unlike other chroniclers of antiquity (for example Egyptian) driven by religious, political or artistic imperatives. He traces facts to sources and steps back when sources conflict. This is familiar. But in other ways, his book is from a culture very distant from ours. Herodotus believes in oracles, in the premonitory value of dreams. It doesn't shock him that a queen might give birth to a lion, or a god strike down an army to protect a sanctuary. Hubris is always punished, and disregard for the warnings of fate, or the desecration of temples. And descriptions are inflated for effect. For example, Herodotus has five million Persian subjects crossing the Hellespont; this probably exceeded the adult male population of the Persian empire, and modern historians have the number at 100,000 to 200,000. Thus, in many ways, the Histories are myth, epic, as much as history, and they probably tell us as much about the ancient Greeks and their beliefs as about what happened in the Persian wars.

Although writing 2500 years ago Herodotus sure knows how to tell a story and I found I couldn't put his history of the 5th century BC Persian Empire down. "The Histories" describes Persian imperial military campaigns against Babylon and Egypt, but above all against Greece. The historical accounts are broken up with legends and fascinating descriptive details of individuals, peoples, armies, counties and cities. In his lengthy build up to the battles of Salamis and Plataea which ended the Persian threat to Greece Herodotus brings to life ancient kings, generals and politicians. Men and women who otherwise are just names from ancient history come to life in their ruthlessness, scheming, greed, courage and cowardice. Herodotus builds up the tension as expertly as a modern novelist. I could tangibly feel the mounting fear as the Persian invaders slowly work their way down Greece toward Athens, while the Greeks desperately seek help across the Mediterranean and individual city-states panic and struggle with whether to risk supporting their fellow Greeks or capitulate with the Persians. Brilliant!

Have started readig this amazing book. Never thought history, so many centuries before B.C. could be so fascinating and in many ways comparable to what is happening today, globally. Will have many hours of enjoyment. Thanks.

Perfect for alevels

Recommended ++

Classic easy read

“The Histories” by Herodotes is an account of the rise of Persia and how a union of Greek City States checked its conquest of the world in the 5th century BC. This is the original account of many famous events and stories that have defined Europe and Western culture. Herodotes seems to have travelled or spoken to people from across the known world at the time to write down this story. The writer’s fondness of digressions takes us on a world tour of the ancient world. The descriptions of geography, empires, peoples, cultures, religions, the natural world, customs and folklore give the reader a fascinating glimpse of an ancient Greek-centric world-view. The result is much more than a straightforward history that culminates in the Persian invasion of Greece and the famous battles of Thermopylae, Salamis and Plataea. It has made the “Histories” one of the classic texts of Western culture and Herodotes the first historian. The text is easy to read and entertaining, but the vast amount of names, events and asides make this a book that you cannot read in a hurry. I read this in combination with the excellent introduction and notes as well as with some additional background reading. However in summary, I can recommend the “Histories” to anybody interested in history in general or the Ancient World specifically.

I am required to study Herodotus' 'The Histories' for my A2 Ancient History course, and had intended to buy it on my Kindle so that I could study it in my own time prior to my return in September this year. So, of course, you can imagine how delighted I was when it was reduced in price!! I've already read part of this book - it's a fantastic piece of writing. And it comes with a detailed and in-depth introduction, which is a must-read for anybody hoping to get their heads around this book - it is complex (as one would expect of a Greek writing in the 400's BC!) but once you read the intro it's perfectly easy to get your head around... well, most of it. A fantastic account of the Greek and Persian Wars, a definite must for those who want to understand this period of Ancient History. This book also acts as a sort of prequel to Thucydides' 'History of the Peloponnesian War'. Another must-read book for those wanting to know more about the Ancient Greeks. You'll find yourself quite surprised by how they turn out to be! Can't fault it!

A classic from ancient times.

A book perfect for reading in the shade. Not too dense, easy to understand, reading between the lines is a good thing.

Great book and a pleasure to read. Not the type of book that puts you to sleep; I actually read this as part of a pick-me-up or stimulant (very entertaining - no need for coffee) before I start off on my other reading

Gran libro, ed bastante denso, recomiendo dosificar cuanto lees, sino puedes satruarte