The Histories, by Herodotus.

[prendrelemick]

The Histories. By Herodotus.


Have you ever started to tell a story, and then realized you need to go back further in order to explain it properly. In doing so you are reminded of another interesting , though unrelated, story. So you start to tell that one first,- which leads you on to many asides and observations that you can't help but mention. At about this time you may notice your audience's eyes glazing over.

The same thing happened to Herodotus two and a half thousand years ago when he attempted to describe and explain the conflicts between the Persians and the Greeks. (Marathon, The 300 Spartans and all that.) But Herodotus manages to hold your interest because he is interested in everything, and that is infectious. He has an insatiable curiosity and is prepared to go off on a tangent and share the oddities he uncovers.

Ok this isn't really literature, but its value isn't as a History book either. It is the stories and the asides that are the best bits, they open a window upon the ancient world, not only the politics, but the mores and habits of the societies he visits, their legends, myths and gossip mixed with fantastical stories of individuals and their fate.

The book does seem to get bogged down in detail sometimes and cries out for a map, just to know where everything is After all it was written two and a half thousand years ago and things change.

I'll give it a 7 out of 10.

[Paulclem]

Have you ever started to tell a story, and then realized you need to go back further in order to explain it properly. In doing so you are reminded of another interesting , though unrelated, story. So you start to tell that one first,- which leads you on to many asides and observations that you can't help but mention. At about this time you may notice your audience's eyes glazing over.

Are you suggesting Ronnie Corbett is boring!? :biggrin5:

I've been wondering what ancient authors I might give a whirl. I'm going to read The Odyssey again in tandem with Ullyses, and then I might have a go with Herodotus.

Good review.

[billl]

Yes, good review. That's the impression I've gotten from other places as well. Personally, I've read only a small portion of the book for a course back in my school days. I really loved what little I read--it's a big book, but I really look forward to reading it through some time.

BTW, people probably already know this, or might find out themselves if they end up shopping for a good version of this one, but here's a pretty cool-looking edition, with a ton of maps and annotations:

http://www.amazon.com/Landmark-Herodotus-Histories/dp/0375421092

This translation/edition isn't what I read, and I wonder if all of the extra info might get in the way and break the flow just as much as it serves to address mysterious words, descriptions, and passages. I'd still like to have it (and the Thucydides one, even more!) but there are some very worrying reviews on the Amazon page from people who bought this particular big book only to have it start falling apart on them as they used it.

[prendrelemick]

Ah maps! if only I'd found that edition. I have found general Herodotus maps on the interweb as well.

[billl]

One thing about these sprawliing histories is that they are pretty good for re-readings (particularly for just picking selected sections). A Landmark edition (of Herodotus or Thucydides) might make a good addition to a Christmas list, etc. Not cheap, though...

[Mary...]

Everything you guy said about The Histories by Herodotus is true, except the "eyes glazing over part". I love all of his digression.

I am reading The Histories for the third time now. This time I decided to save myself all the frustration and grief of looking up stuff in my historical atlas. So I went with the Landmark Herodotus and I love it.

The extra information does not interrupt the flow of the writing. Quite the opposite, if you are actually interested in the contents of the stories.

I checked it out of the local library because I didn't want to buy it unless I was sure about it. My library has a paperback copy. It hasn't fallen apart yet and shows no sign that it will.

On that note. I only got about halfway through the paper back Penguin Classic version translated by Aubrey De' Selincourt before it started to fall apart. It is a wonderful translation in my opinion but the few maps that it does have are not detailed enough.

Anyway, The Histories is my favorite book. It knocked War And Peace out of the number one spot into second place. I give it a 10 out of 10.

Sincerely,

Ainia

[dfloyd]

The first time was with a two volume edition published by the Heritage Press. this time it is with godfather of the Heritage Press, the Limited editions Club. Both are similar, but I like it because the annotations consist of marginal notes on the same page as the text. Well I forgot, this is really my third time through. Looking in my library, I discovered my Folio Society copy, which I read sometime ago.

When I was a student many years ago, I read paperbacks. But a professor of mine convinced me of the idea of buying finely printed, illustrated, and bound books which could form a permanent library in my home. After college, I started on this plan and have never regretted it. Many people pay over $100 a month for cable tv, phone, and internet. Cancel all but your internet connection and use the money saved to buy good books!

If you enjoy Herodotus, be sure to read other histories and biographies. I recently purchased Plutarch's Lives in four volumes. Plutarch is as easy to read as Herodotus, but there aren't as many asides. Suetonius' Lives of the Twelve Caesars is another biography worth reading.

[Mary...]

Dear dfloyd,

Please tell me about the book Herodotus of Hallicarnasus, I might want to read it when I finish The Histories.

Sincerely,

Ainia

[hellsapoppin]

I read this gem decades ago. What stood out was the fact that about 70 pages (of about 700) were devoted to the Egyptian origin of Greek civilization and scholarship.

Up to the early or mid 1970s, it was commonly taught in colleges that Africans contributed nothing to the advancement of civilization. Herodotus destroyed that myth millenia ago. Somehow, his teachings were missed by many Western scholars. It is so good to see that people are still enjoying that book's many truths.

[Mary...]

Has anyone read The Way Of Herodotus by Justin Marozzi?

[prendrelemick]

No, but I joined The "Herodotus is my Homeboy" on Facebook.

[prendrelemick]

No, but I joined The "Herodotus is my Homeboy" group on Facebook.

............

[Mary...]

Please tell me more about the "Herodotus is my Homeboy" group on Facebook

[prendrelemick]

Please tell me more about the "Herodotus is my Homeboy" group on Facebook


It's one of those facebook groups where nothing happens. Mostly American students. I thought the title was amusing so I clicked on "join" and that's about it. It isn't a serious or scholarly thing.