History of Herodotus, Vol. 1 of 4: A New English Version, Edited with Copious Notes and Appendices, Illustrating the History and Geography of ... the Chief Results, Historical and Ethnograp

by Herodotus

Explore the shaping of ancient history through the eyes of Herodotus, brought to life in a scholarly, accessible edition.

This volume presents History of Herodotus, Volume I, in a clear English translation with extensive notes and appendices, plus maps and illustrations to illuminate the world he describes.

This edition, edited by George Rawlinson and others, offers a faithful translation that aims for readability while preserving the spirit of the original. It includes essays at the end of each book to explore major questions, alongside a running commentary that strikes a practical balance between narrative and analysis. A fresh translation of the opening books, framed by maps and illustrations. Copious notes and appendices that illuminate geography, ethnography, and history. Structured essays that expand on key topics without overwhelming the narrative. Ideal for readers new to the Histories and for students seeking a reliable, well‑annotated edition.

742 pages, Paperback

Published October 7, 2018

About the author

Herodotus (Greek: Ηρόδοτος) (c. 484 – c. 425 BC) was a Greek historian and geographer from the Greek city of Halicarnassus, part of the Persian Empire (now Bodrum, Turkey) and a later citizen of Thurii in modern Calabria, Italy. He is known for having written the Histories – a detailed account of the Greco-Persian Wars. Herodotus was the first writer to perform systematic investigation of historical events. He has been described as "The Father of History", a title conferred on him by the ancient Roman orator Marcus Tullius Cicero.
The Histories primarily cover the lives of prominent kings and famous battles such as Marathon, Thermopylae, Artemisium, Salamis, Plataea, and Mycale. His work deviates from the main topics to provide a cultural, ethnographical, geographical, and historiographical background that forms an essential part of the narrative and provides readers with a wellspring of additional information.
Herodotus has been criticized for his inclusion of "legends and fanciful accounts" in his work. The contemporaneous historian Thucydides accused him of making up stories for entertainment. However, Herodotus explained that he reported what he could see and was told. A sizable portion of the Histories has since been confirmed by modern historians and archaeologists.

Reviews

[Tanya Hurst]

So glad I decided to slog through this again. It's Herodotus. How can one not love this stuff? Volume 2 is next on my radar (among other things).