Book 1 book 2 book 3 book 4 book 5 book 6 book 7 book 8 book 9 2. The histories, which is the oldest history book in western civilization, was completed around 425 b. Euterpe on the death of cyrus, cambyses his son by cassandane daughter of pharnaspes took the kingdom. It is in part a gripping and much revered tale of colossal confrontation between freedomloving greekspeaking peoples the athenians, spartans, and others and the seemingly unstoppable forces of the persians. A 1464k textonly version is available for download. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 716 pages and is available in paperback format. Herodotus is not just the father of history, he is also the father of ethnography, and his description of the egyptians suggests that they often do the opposite of whatever the greeks do. The histories herodotus account of the grecopersian wars was the only book he ever wrote. Cassandane had died in the lifetime of cyrus, who had made a great mourning for her at her death. In the histories, he describes the expansion of the achaemenid empire under its kings cyrus the great, cambyses, and darius i the great, culminating in xerxes expedition to greece 480 bce. Herodotus read his book aloud at athens and in many. The history book ii book 2 is named after the greek muse euterpe.
The histories of herodotus is considered the founding work of history in western literature. In book 1, herodotus announces his purpose to memorialize the great and marvelous deeds of the greeks and their barbarian neighbors, and, more particularly, to show why they came into conflict. Godley, read by librivox volunteers, proofed, coordinated, and produced by karen merline. Herodotus attempts to relate the whole history of the kings of egypt, although he does not describe all 350 pharaohs he claims have ruled the country. Online books about this author are available, as is a wikipedia article herodotus. The histories of herodotus of halicarnassus, volume 1. The history of herodotus by herodotus the internet classics archive. One of the most important works of history in western literature, by the freshest and liveliest of all classical greek prose authors, herodotuss histories is also a key text for the study of ancient greece and the persian empire. Reading herodotus, one can often get bogged down in the loops of geography, people, history, culture and meandre through miles of esoterica. The histories herodotus translated by george rawlinson book 1 these are the researches of herodotus of halicarnassus, which he publishes, in the hope of thereby preserving from decay the remembrance of what men have done, and of preventing the great and wonderful actions of the greeks and the barbarians from. The histories, however, is one of those books where an audiobook helps. Thaleia 1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 140 150 160. This is the story which i heard from the priests of hephaestus temple at memphis.
Thoughts on book 2 of the histories of herodotus first. Egyptians, preferring cleanliness to comeliness, practice circumcision. The history of herodotus, volume 2, free pdf global grey. He travelled widely in most of asia minor, egypt as far as assuan, north africa, syria, the country north of the black sea, and many parts. For anyone with even the slightest interest in ancient history, herodotuss history is compulsory reading an authentic voice from the past that takes us back into the 5th and 6th centuries bce, to let us witness the epochmaking confrontation between the greeks and the all powerful persian empire.
The herodotus histories was starting to interest me after appearing on the searches, but didnt purchase until researching more what it was about. The rise of the persian empire is chronicled, and the causes for the conflict. Written about 440 bc, the histories tell the story of the war between the persian empire and the greek citystates in the 5th. So its fitting that, through herodotus book, the english patient reveals his own history. I really enjoyed this book because it is the first book of history ever written by man. The history of herodotus book i the first book of the histories, called clio this is the showing forth of the inquiry of herodotus of halicarnassos, to the end that1 neither the deeds of men may be forgotten by lapse of time, nor the works2 great and marvellous, which have been produced some by hellenes and some by barbarians, may. The histories of herodotus of halicarnassus is considered the first work of history in western literature. Book 2 of the histories largely concerns itself with egypt. Im becomming a little obsessed with history after getting this book.
The history of herodotus, parallel englishgreek index. Being the second book of the famous history of herodotus london. Even though his broader theme is the history of the persian wars, book ii includes a vast range of subjects, from geology and meteorology to commerce, family life, and medicine. The hippopotamus, in the canton of papremis, is a sacred animal, but not in any other part of egypt. The histories by herodotus book ii, euterpe knowitall to. Book 1 book 2 book 3 book 4 book 5 book 6 book 7 book 8 book 9 4. The biblical writers borrowed from it to create characters such as the judges samson. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Greek researcher, often called the worlds first historian. Written from the 450s to the 420s bc in the ionic dialect of classical greek, the histories serves as a record of the ancient traditions, politics, geography, and clashes of various cultures that were known around the mediterranean and western asia at that time. To read the history herodotus only book is to seek ones roots as a member of western democratic civilization. Elizabeth eltze herodotus histories, book 2, section 86 amphora.
Pdf the histories book by herodotus free download 716. Histories by herodotus translated by george rawlinson book 4 melpomene. I also purchased the histories from barnes and noble. Written about 440 bc, the histories tell the story of the war between the persian empire. The history of herodotus has been divided into the following sections. His plan to conquer egypt gives herodotus the opportunity. Herodotus traveled extensively around the ancient world, conducting interviews and collecting stories for his book. Book i 299k book ii 249k book iii 221k book iv 230k book v 162k book vi 174k book vii 286k book viii 179k book ix 168k download. The histories, herodotus the histories of herodotus is the founding work of history in western literature. The history book ii great books of the western world. The history of herodotus, parallel englishgreek, tr. 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.
The histories of herodotus is considered one of the seminal works of history in western literature. Written about 440 bc, the histories tell the story of the war between the persian empire and the greek citystates in the 5th century bc. Her name is derived from the greek word meaning delight. The internet classics archive the history of herodotus. Herodotus lays out the history of egypt until the reign of amasis, the pharaoh that cambyses will defeat in histories. Book 2 summary in book 2, herodotus discusses the geography, zoology, customs, and history of ancient egypt. The main characters of this classics, non fiction story are. The rise of the persian empire is chronicled, and the causes for the conflict with greece. This excursus on the countrys natural and manmade marvels sets the scene for his account of egypts invasion in 525 bce by the persian king cambyses, cyrus son, in. Part of a complete english translation of herodotus.
The history of herodotus volume 1 by herodotus free ebook. In the histories, he describes the expansion of the achaemenid empire under its kings cyrus the great, cambyses, and darius i the great, culminating in xerxes expedition to greece 480 bce, which met with disaster in the naval engagement at salamis and the battles at plataea and mycale. The audiobook gives you a good pace and forcemarches you through to the end. Herodotus covers the empires geography, social structure, and history before describing the events which led to xerxes invasion of greece and the greek citystates uniting to defeat his army. Summary of and commentary on herodotus histories, book 7, 2015 your bibliography.
Prior to that were the illiad and the oddyse by homer during the 700s b. It is a quadruped, clovenfooted, with hoofs like an ox, and a flat nose. He describes the rise of the lydian empire under croesus, who first subdued the greek settlements on the. Herodotus was a greek writer and geographer credited with being the first historian. Cambyses becomes king of the persian empire 530522 bc. Histories by herodotus translated by george rawlinson book 2 euterpe. Written in 440 bc in the ionic dialect of classical greek, the histories serves as a record of the ancient traditions, politics, geography, and clashes of various cultures that were known in western asia, northern africa and greece at that time. It has the mane and tail of a horse, huge tusks which are very conspicuous, and a voice like a horses neigh. The first edition of the novel was published in 440, and was written by herodotus. The history of herodotus book i the first book of the histories, called clio this is the showing forth of the inquiry of herodotus of halicarnassos, to the end that1 neither the deeds of men may be forgotten by lapse of time, nor the works 2 great and marvellous, which have been produced some by hellenes and some by barbarians, may. The history of herodotus by herodotus, part of the internet classics archive. He is known for having written the book the histories greek. Asia abounding in men, and vast sums flowing into the treasury, the desire seized him to exact vengeance from the.
Herodotus the great greek historian was born about 484 bce, at halicarnassus in caria, asia minor, when it was subject to the persians. His plan to conquer egypt gives herodotus the opportunity to dedicate three logoi to the ancient kingdom on the. Summary of and commentary on herodotus histories, book 7. Histories book 2 the history of egypt summary course hero. Opening alludes to homer, suggests epic scale and purpose memorialization. Herodotuss history is an account of the grecopersian wars 499479 bce and the story of the growth and organization of the persian empire. Euterpe 1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 140 150 160 170 180 book 3.
Herodotus description of egypt dominates book ii of 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 wellversed in the classics. Free download or read online the histories pdf epub book. Rape of io by phoenician traders as persian version of origin of eastwest conflict 1. Herodotus histories vol 2 read book online for free. Discover book depositorys huge selection of herodotus books online.
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