Herodotus: the Histories

"The father of history," as Cicero called him, and a writer possessed of remarkable narrative gifts, enormous scope, and considerable charm, Herodotus has always been beloved by readers well-versed in the classics. Compelled by his desire to "prevent the traces of human events from being erased by time," Herotodus recounts the incidents preceding and following the Persian Wars. He gives us much more than military history, though, providing the fullest portrait of the classical world of the 5th and 6th centuries. Translated by Robin Waterfield, a distinguished translator whose version of Plato's Republic has been described as `the best available', this readable new translation is supplemented with expansive notes to help the reader appreciate the book in depth. Herodotus is not only known as the `father of history', as Cicero called him, but also the father of ethnography; as well as charting the historical background to the Persian Wars, his curiosity also prompts frequent digression on the cultures of the peoples he introduces. While much of the information he gives has proved to be astonishingly accurate, he also entertains us with delightful tales of one-eyed men and gold-digging ants. This readable new translation is supplemented with expansive notes that provide readers the background that they need to appreciate the book in depth. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more. Herotodus Recounts The Incidents Preceding And Following The Persian Wars. He Gives Us Much More Than Military History, Though, Providing The Fullest Portrait Of The Classical World Of The 5th And 6th Centuries. This Readable New Translation Is Supplemented With Expansive Notes To Help The Reader Appreciate The Book In Depth. Introduction -- Translator's Note -- Select Bibliography -- Timeline -- The Histories -- Appendix 1 : A Note On Greek Clothing -- Appendix 2 : Weights, Measures, Money, And Distances -- Explanatory Notes -- Textual Notes -- Glossary Of Greek Terms -- Glossary Of Foreign Words Used By Herodotus -- Maps. Herodotus ; Translated By Robin Waterfield ; With An Introduction And Notes By Carolyn Dewald. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

Herodotus is not only the father of the art and the science of historical writing but also one of the Western tradition's most compelling storytellers. In tales such as that of Gyges-who murders Candaules, the king of Lydia, and usurps his throne and his marriage bed, thereby bringing on, generations later, war with the Persians-Herodotus laid bare the intricate human entanglements at the core of great historical events. In his love for the stranger, more marvelous facts of the world, he infused his magnificent history with a continuous awareness of the mythic and the wonderful. For more than a hundred generations, his supple, lucid prose has drawn readers into his panoramic vision of the war between the Greek city-states and the great empire to the east.

"The father of history," as Cicero called him, and a writer possessed of remarkable narrative gifts, enormous scope, and considerable charm, Herodotus has always been beloved by readers well-versed in the classics. Compelled by his desire to "prevent the traces of human events from being erased by time," Herodotus recounts the incidents preceding and following the Persian Wars. He gives us much more than military history, though, providing the fullest portrait of the classical world of the 5th and 6th centuries. Translated by Robin Waterfield, this readable new translation is supplemented with expansive notes to help the reader appreciate the book in depth Contents Introduction Translator's note Select bibliography Timeline THE HISTORIES Book 1 Book 2 Book 3 Book 4 Book 5 Book 6 Book 7 Book 8 Book 9 App. 1 - Clothing App. 2 - Weights, etc. Explanatory notes Bk. 1 Bk. 2 Bk. 3 Bk. 4 Bks. 5-6 Bk. 7 Bk. 8 Bk. 9 Textual notes Glossary Greek terms Glossary foreign words Index of proper names Maps One of the earliest histories of the western world still extant, this gives a contemporary account of the Greco-Persian wars of the fifth century BCE with the rise of the Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus the Great. Provides a new translation of the classic account of the wars between the Greek city-states and Persia, and of the culture of the peoples who took part