Herodotus of Halicarnassus

Herodotus was an ancient Greek writer and geographer who was born in the ancient Greek city of Halicarnassus, part of the former Persian Empire (now modern-day Bodrum, Turkey).

 

Credited as being the first Greek historian, Herodotus is known for having written the book The Histories—a detailed account of views regarding the Greco-Persian Wars. He is widely considered the first writer to treat historical subjects using a method of systematic investigation. He is also referred to as "The Father of History", a title first conferred on him by the esteemed Ancient Roman orator Cicero.

 

His Histories primarily deals with the lives of prominent kings of his time, as well as famous battles; such as those of Marathon, Thermopylae, Artemisium, Salamis, Plataea, and Mycale. His work also contains important deviations from the main topics (cultural, ethnographical, geographical, historiographical, and other forms of deviations) that form a defining and essential part of the narrative & that provide readers with a wellspring of additional information.

 

Herodotus has been criticized for his inclusion of "legends and fanciful accounts" in his work. Authors such as fellow Ancient Greek historian Thucydides have accused him of making up stories for entertainment purposes. In response, Herodotus has explained that he reported what he "saw and [what was] told to him." In spite of this, a sizable portion of the information Herodotus has provided has since been confirmed and found credible by modern historians and archaeologists.

 

 

 

 

 

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