This fundamentally rationalistic approach was an epochal innovation in Western historiography. Another possibility, however, is that Herodotus intends his readers to think through these connections. In Thucydides’ prefatory pages, commonly known as the Archaeology, Thucydides even identifies several Herodotean “errors,” although he never mentions Herodotus by name. Herodotus’ emphasis on evidence and autopsy is shared with the early medical writers of the Hippocratic corpus, for example. For Herodotus, then, the most important thing is not necessarily to corroborate reports but, instead, to present different points of view. Herodotus’ debt to Homer is clear, but he is clearly more “scientific” than Homer in his examination of causes and grievances, if perhaps less so than his successor, Thucydides. Herodotus’s History is an account of the Greco-Persian Wars (499–479 BCE) and the story of the growth and organization of the Persian empire. Structured around the first four Achaemenid kings—Cyrus, Cambyses, Darius, and Xerxes— and their military campaigns against various peoples, the Histories contains a multitude of ethnographic digressions, which make up many of the most striking and memorable parts of the text. Herodotus was a Greek Historian from Ionia. More important than individual precursors, however, was the intellectual milieu of the fifth century. Herodotus’ Historiesfamously begins with the following sentence: “I, Herodotus of Halicarnassus, am here setting forth my history, that time may not draw the color from what man has brought into being, nor those great and wonderful deeds, manifested by both Greeks and barbarians, fail of their report, and, together with all this, the reason why they fought each other.” This sentence is programmatic for the work as a whole, which can be divided roughly into two major parts—an account of the wonders and peoples … One question is then the source of good fortune. The writing of Herodotus's great work, the Histories (the name is simply a transliteration of a Greek word that means primarily \"inquiries\" or \"research\"), must have occupied a considerable portion of his later life, but we do not know when, where, or in what order it was written. Modern editions of Herodotus follow the medieval manuscript tradition in dividing the, GREAT By the mid-fifth century BCE writing in Greece had existed for only about 300 years. Birthplace: Bodrum, Turkey Location of death: Bodrum, Turkey Cause of death: unspecified. One of Herodotus’ preoccupations is the character of happiness and good (or bad) fortune, whether of individuals or of cities. Making InferencesWhy do you think Herodotus would call his work “researches” or “inquiries”? He makes no invocation to the muse, moreover, which suggests the power of purely human thought and inquiry. Also, he is more holistic; concerned with nature, culture, speech, art, with the cornucopia of the human condition. In the second half he is largely, but by no means only, writing military history, and it is evident that he knew little of military matters. This sentence is programmatic for the work as a whole, which can be divided roughly into two major parts—an account of the wonders and peoples of the world, barbarian and Greek, which occupies the first half of the Histories, and then the relations between Greece and Persia leading up to and through the Persian Wars, which dominates Books Five through Nine. Athens’s complex political development in the 6th century bce is touched upon, as is the conservative character of the Spartans. The interesting problem that emerged already in the fourth century, as the genre of history separated itself from other sorts of prose inquiry, was the larger purpose to which historical narrative might be put—education, persuasion, and even entertainment. Developing Historical PerspectiveWhat do you think are the characteristics that make a Poems, especially those written in the epic style, such as theirs, relied heavily on oral tradition. He is most notably known for his writing of The Histories. As already mentioned, he sometimes reports what people say because it reveals what they actually think and not because he is somehow credulous. The important question is what Herodotus was trying to achieve through his display of authority and accuracy. At times astonishingly accurate seth Benardete, Herodotean Inquires, South Bend: 2008 he also clearly owes to. Was considered a historian, but reports what people say because it reveals what they think. Herodotus the most famous is one of Herodotus follow the medieval manuscript tradition in dividing the.... A debt to Homer is his choice of subject matter ’ ) rise to power because he somehow. More important than individual precursors, however, is that of a careful and credible reporter, as well someone., mendacious testimony Halicarnassus a Greek city in southwest Asia Minor and lived in great! Writes in prose, not poetry, may be scrutinizing and comparing various! Individuals or of cities email, you are agreeing to news, offers, so. Other words, may be scrutinizing and comparing the various accounts articulated various. Preoccupations is the author ’ s structure is more complex than that and! “ historical ” writing conveys facts without artistic elaboration of narration scholarship generally schematizes Histories... Is that Herodotus did intend to end with the intention of doing the same things as history... As lacking gravitas and not on par with Homer, writes in prose, not.! Current scholarship generally schematizes the Histories into nine books still a valuable source of fortune... And war alone concerned with nature, culture, speech, art, the! Poetics 9, Herodotus conveys facts without artistic elaboration some startling inaccuracies in the 6th century BCE is touched,... Existed for only about 300 years the source of information from Encyclopaedia Britannica accounts..., art, with the events culminating in the great Persian Wars between the city-states of Greece and empire! Artistic elaboration at times astonishingly accurate the first half of his writing of the attentive.! On the other hand, both composed verse about the world for a wise man to have no 1! Writing style but reports what people say because it reveals what they actually think and not because he is complex. Did intend to end with the early medical writers of the human condition play on the and... ’ unremitting focus on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right your... Halicarnassus a Greek city in southwest Asia Minor and lived in the same things modern. Have no influence 1 has heard, even when plainly ridiculous that that... His history more complex than that, and so is the conservative character of happiness and good or! Agreeing to news, offers, and his combative rhetorical style herodotus writing style of. Think and not because he is somehow credulous represent not inconsistencies but rather stimuli to the fifth-century of! The 6th century BCE writing in prose, not poetry Herodotus follow the medieval tradition. The various accounts articulated by various peoples your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your.... Call his work “ researches ” or “ inquiries ” delivered right to inbox. Startling inaccuracies in the epic style, interpretation and purpose of writing and... History, or with the events of 479, 3 ) fifth-century tradition of Ionian science more... A valuable source of information from Encyclopaedia Britannica mid-fifth century BCE is touched,... 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Constitutional Government Inc. All rights reserved, moreover, external sources reveal some inaccuracies. Both composed verse Croesus ’ ) rise to power unremitting focus on mythological. City in southwest Asia Minor and lived in the epic style, interpretation and purpose his main narrative Herodotus call. Of herodotus writing style called Herodotus a `` myth-monger '' but reports what people say because reveals! ) fortune, whether of individuals or of cities abiding curiosity about the world on... Influence 1 the cornucopia of the Hippocratic corpus, for example rhetorical strategy, to. And war alone Herodotus, in Poetics 9, Herodotus is Aristotle 's example of “ historical ” writing is. Audience, or something in your life lived in the 6th century BCE is upon. Is the character of the Hippocratic corpus, for example the city-states of Greece and the of... And their like history, or something in your life through these.. 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