The Histories (Penguin Classics)
£10.40£12.30 (-15%)
‘The first example of non-fiction, the text that underlies the entire discipline of history … it is above all a treasure trove’ Tom Holland
One 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
Read more
Additional information
| Publisher | Penguin Classics, Reissue edition (30 Jan. 2003) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 784 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 9780140449082 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0140449082 |
| Dimensions | 21.6 x 13.8 x 4.65 cm |
by Susan Hannis
I thought I knew a lot of history of English words, but this book is extraordinary. It gives far more than history. It makes you realise how our language governs our concepts, our values and our perceptual categories. Since English has become the world’s common language we should be aware that it carries a whole mind-set – and excludes others.
by SW
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!
by allan durning
Great product
by Apollonia.
I love Classics and had to re-read Herodotus .
This is not a book that can be read in a few days because of the complexities ( nanes, places,rec ) so, absorb H in stages !
It is a pity that the Labyrinth section is not given much credit and the same goes for the ” ant people “. The latter has been a contentious subject that is found in a lot of folklore .
However, this book will satisfy those who are interested in ancient history, anthropology, sociology and many other ‘ oligies.
Personally, I would not say that this is the definitive ” Histories ” but it certainly
does hold interest and is a must read.
by reader 451
‘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.
by Carolyn Wagstaff
This book reads like a diary; Herodotus must have written every place he went; reveals the social behaviours which have repeated through millennia.. WOW..!
by Ralph Walker
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!
by CJ
Bought this out of curiosity. Wish I had borrowed it from a library. Great for insomniacs.