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The Histories by Herodotus
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really liked it
bookshelves: ancient-history
Read 2 times. Last read July 29, 2011 to August 10, 2011.

I think I would like to invite my Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ friends to browse any Book you like, then take heart to start with Book I as the inception of the whole inquiry unthinkable to those Greek scholars at that time, but Herodotus could make it and you cannot help admiring him when you read his famous preamble:
Herodotus of Halicarnassus here displays his inquiry, so that human achievements may not become forgotten in time, and great and marvellous deeds -- some displayed by Greeks, some by barbarians -- may not be without their glory; and especially to show why the two people fought each other. (p. 4)

This preamble, I think, in the 1970 edition may entice you as well:
HERODOTUS of Halicarnassus, his Researches are here set down to preserve the memory of the past by putting on record the astonishing achievements both of our own and of other peoples; and more particularly, to show how they came into conflict. (p. 41)

Moreover, the one in this 1988 edition published by the University of Chicago Press is also interesting:
I, Herodotus of Harlicarnassus, am here setting forth my history, that time may not draw the color from what man has brought into being, nor those great and wonderful deeds, manifested by both Greeks and barbarians, fail of their report, and, together with all this, the reason why they fought one another. (p. 33)

First of all, don't be intimidated by its length, that is, 543 pages in the 1996 Penguin edition, please find any translation you're familiar with its style or wording then keep reading a few pages once in a while, don't hope to finish it in a few days/weeks since it's one of the masterpieces in ancient history, you need time to think, take notes and ask yourself why.

Secondly, this is definitely his magnum opus for posterity of all nations to read, reflect and interpret in terms of reciprocal toleration as fellow human beings so that we learn not to make unthinkable mistakes again. In many engagements there, you can witness various unimaginably ruthless deeds instigated by the powers that be, fate and godlike valour of those true Greek and Persian soldiers. Those fallen heroes including all innumerable soldiers killed in various battles deserve our respect with awe, admiration and gratitude as our exemplary models of humankind.

And finally, scholars should honour and keep him in mind since Cicero called him 'the father of history' and we can enjoy reading his second to none narrative. However, some chapters might not be interesting when he sometime told us about the flora/fauna seemingly unrelated to the looming hostilities. I take them as relaxing moments and we can learn from what he told us frankly and good-humoredly. Those ruthless war scenes, for instance from Chapter 20 onwards in Book IX, are amazingly described to the extent that we can visualize such ruthless gory scenes with increasingly stupefying horror in which it is hopelessly put into words.

That's it and I think I would reread the University of Chicago version for solace and advice in there whenever I'm free from work. It'd teach us of course to mind our own business, be kind, have mercy towards our fellow colleagues, friends, cousins, etc. since we all have limited time to live on earth.

Note: In fact, I have another Penguin copy with its front cover showing a painted vase depicting two soldiers in action (Persian vs. Greek), not this one so the page numbers as mentioned above may vary. Therefore, I've reposted my review since I don't know how to return to its previous book cover.
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Reading Progress

August 20, 2009 – Shelved
January 28, 2010 – Shelved as: ancient-history
July 29, 2011 – Started Reading
August 3, 2011 –
page 412
52.55% "Most Greeks assume that Libya was so called after a native woman and that Asia was named after the wife of Prometheus; the Lydians, however, claim the latter name for themselves, and say that Asia was named not after the wife of Prometheus, but after Asies, the son of Cotys and grandson of Manes, who passed it on besides to the tribe called Asias in Sardis. (p. 230 )"
August 4, 2011 –
page 423
53.95% "This severe defeat -- so severe that few of them returned home alive -- was doubtless due to the fact that the Egyptians had had no previous experience of Greek fighting and were not prepared to treat it seriously. Apries' subjects blamed him personally for this disastrous campaign, and it was the reason for their rebellion against him. (p. 267) Note: 1970 edition, p. 325"
August 6, 2011 –
page 473
60.33% "Thus Athens went from strength to strength, and proved, if proof were needed, how noble a thing freedom is, not in one respect only, but in all; for while they were oppressed under a despotic government, they had no better success in war than any of their neighbours, yet, once the yoke was flung off, they proved the finest fighters in the world. (p. 307) Note: 1970 edition, p. 369"
August 7, 2011 –
page 498
63.52% "Now the plan they had made on the way to Petra wa, that whoever first got hold of the baby should dash it to the ground; but - chance or providence - saved it, for as soon as Labda put it into the man's arms, it smiled at him, and he, seeing it smile, was touched, and could not bring himself to kill it, but passed it to his neighbour who, in his turn, put it on again... (p. 313) Note: 1970 edition, p. 375."
August 8, 2011 –
page 498
63.52% "Now the plan they had made on the way to Petra was, that whoever first got hold of the baby should dash it to the ground; but - chance or providence - saved it, for as soon as Labda put it into the man's arms, it smiled at him, and he, seeing it smile, was touched, and could not bring himself to kill it, but passed it to his neighbour who, in his turn, put it on again... (p. 313) Note: 1970 edition, p. 375."
August 9, 2011 –
page 527
67.22% "The nurse replied that it was a baby. The woman asked to see it, but the nurse refused, for the child's parents had forbidden her to show it to anybody. The woman, however, persisted, and at last the nurse, seeing how extremely anxious she was to have a look at the baby, ...; and she stroked the baby's head and declared that it would grow to be the most beautiful woman in Sparta. (p. 343) Note: 1970 edition, p. 409."
Started Reading (Other Paperback Edition)
August 10, 2011 – Finished Reading (Other Paperback Edition)
August 10, 2011 – Finished Reading
August 14, 2011 – Shelved (Other Paperback Edition)
August 14, 2011 – Shelved as: ancient-history (Other Paperback Edition)
October 29, 2011 – Shelved (Other Paperback Edition)
October 29, 2011 – Shelved as: ancient-history (Other Paperback Edition)
August 22, 2015 – Shelved as: favorites
August 22, 2015 – Shelved as: favorites

Comments Showing 1-50 of 62 (62 new)


Mark Excellent comments, very thoughtful! There is never ending value in the classics of Graeco-Roman antiquity, and prose history begins with Herodotus. Every minute spent with Herodotus is time well spent.


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Smiley Thanks, Mark, for your inspiring message.


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Smiley Thanks, Jakob, for your encouragement.


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Dhara Mehta Thanks for such a well written review, Humerto. I am currently attempt to read Dickens in my spare time. I recently saw the play Antigone. It was the first time I was exposed to Greek literature after middle school.


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Smiley Thanks, Dhara, for your kind message.


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Dhara Mehta You are welcome Humberto,
How did you become intested in Greek literature anyway? Your reviews keep me motivated.


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Smiley Thanks, Cassandra, for your encouragement.


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Smiley There is at least one thing, I think, we should read and learn from those sources of ancient wisdom/lessons so that we 'd be humble, content and aware of our present knowledge.


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Smiley Thanks, Nam, I appreciate your encouragement.


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Ben Great review, really inspiring (which I think is what a review should do).

I'm reading the Silmarrillion by Tolkein at the moment (which always intimidated me) but really enjoying.

I think I'll make 'The Histories' next on my list of intimidating books I'm getting into it.


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David Sarkies I quite liked how you looked at the various translations of the opening paragraph. It reminds us historians why we do what we do.


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Smiley David wrote: "I quite liked how you looked at the various translations of the opening paragraph. It reminds us historians why we do what we do."

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Sergio Bernales Thanks for your review, Umberto, I recently bought the Oxford classics's version...and also, Xenophon's Anabasis. To start reading both volumes next year.


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Smiley Sergio wrote: "Thanks for your review, Umberto, I recently bought the Oxford classics's version...and also, Xenophon's Anabasis. To start reading both volumes next year."

Thanks, Sergio, I appreciate your encouragement and message.


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