Histories The

Describes how a small and quarrelsome band of Greek city states united to repel the might of the Persian empire. Frequently giving rise to colorful digressions this book blends fact and legend to offer a compelling Greek view of the world of the fifth century BC.|Few facts are known about the life of Herodotus. He was born around 490 BC in Halicarnassus on the south-west coast of Asia Minor. He seems to have travelled widely throughout the Mediterranean world including Egypt Africa the area around the Black Sea and throughout many Greek city-states of both the mainland and the islands. A sojourn in Athens is part of the traditional biography and there he is said to have given public readings of his work and been friends with the playwright Sophocles. He is said also to have taken part in the founding of the colony of Thurii in Italy in 443 BC. He probably died at some time between 425 and 420 BC. His reputation has varied greatly but for the ancients and many moderns he well deserves the title (first given to him by Cicero) of 'the Father of History'.|'The first example of non-fiction the text that underlies the entire discipline of history ... it is above all a treasure trove' Tom HollandOne of the masterpieces of classical literature The Histories describes how a small and quarrelsome band of Greek city states united to repel the might of the Persian empire. But while this epic struggle forms the core of his work Herodotus' natural curiosity frequently gives rise to colourful digressions - a description of the natural wonders of Egypt; tales of lake-dwellers dog-headed men and gold-digging ants. With its kaleidoscopic blend of fact and legend The Histories offers a compelling Greek view of the world in the fifth century BC in Aubrey de Sélincourt's elegant and celebrated translation.Translated by AUBREY DE SÉLINCOURT Revised with an Introduction and notes by JOHN MARINCOLA