Herodotus Writes the First History: What Happened
Around 430 BC, Herodotus of Halicarnassus, a Greek city on the coast of Asia Minor, completed his Histories, the first great work of history in the Western world. Its main subject was the Greco-Persian Wars, which Herodotus wanted to record so that the great deeds of Greeks and non-Greeks would not be forgotten and so that the causes of the conflict would be understood. To write it, he traveled widely through Greece, Egypt, the Black Sea region and the Near East, collecting stories, visiting sites and interviewing people. His work ranges far beyond battles, describing the customs, religions, geography and legends of many peoples, from the Egyptians to the Scythians. Herodotus often reported several versions of a story and let readers judge, though some of his tales are clearly legendary. The word he used for his work, historia, meant inquiry or research, and it gave us the word history. The Roman orator Cicero later called him the Father of History, a title that has stuck, though critics have also called him the Father of Lies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Herodotus?
Herodotus was a Greek writer from Halicarnassus, modern Bodrum in Turkey, who lived in the 5th century BC. He is known as the Father of History for his work, the Histories.
What are the Histories about?
The Histories tell the story of the Greco-Persian Wars and their causes. They also describe the customs, religions, geography and legends of many peoples, from Egypt to Scythia.
Why is Herodotus called the Father of History?
The Roman orator Cicero gave him the title because he was the first to research and write a large-scale account of past events. The word history comes from his Greek word historia, meaning inquiry.
Is Herodotus reliable?
Herodotus traveled widely and collected many sources, often giving several versions of a story. Some of his tales are clearly legendary, which led some critics to call him the Father of Lies.
When were the Histories written?
Herodotus completed his Histories around 430 BC. He is said to have read parts of his work aloud to audiences in Athens and at Olympia.
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