Herodotus is not only the father of the art and the science of historical writing but also one of the western traditions most compelling storytellers. To read the history herodotus only book is to seek ones roots as a member of western democratic civilization. The biblical writers borrowed from it to create characters such as the judges samson. These are the pasargadae, the maraphians, and the maspians, of whom the pasargadae are the noblest. The worlds first great narrative history, herodotuss the histories vividly describes how the greeksfew in number, poor, and disunitedmanaged to repulse a massive invasion by the powerful persian army in the 5th century b. Starting with book five, volume 2 of the persian wars enters directly into the intrigues between the greeks and persians. Herodotus histories by herodotus of halicarnassus free at. Written about 440 bc, the histories tell the story of the war between the persian empire and the greek. The histories also stands as one of the earliest accounts of the rise of the persian empire, as well as the events and causes of the grecopersian wars between the achaemenid empire and the greek citystates in the 5th century bc. Macaulay the first book clio 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. Bernard mayesvoice is distinctive, and his manner may seem at first. He travelled widely in most of asia minor, egypt as far as assuan.
The histories of herodotus of halicarnassus is considered the first work of history in western literature. Librivox recording of herodotus histories read by librivox volunteers. Herodotus has a wonderful, gossipy style that makes reading these histories more fun than studying the rise of the persian empire and its clash with greecehowever, thats exactly what readers will do in this engaging history, which is full of interesting digressions and asides. He stresses the differences from greek religious behavior, with the persians exhibiting a natural and primeval form of religion. The histories audible audiobook unabridged herodotus author, bernard mayes narrator, blackstone audio, inc. Herodotus says the persians call this female goddess mitra 1.
Herodotus traveled extensively around the ancient world, conducting. Discover more authors youll love listening to on audible. Herodotus histories book i translated into english by g. The rise of the persian empire is chronicled, and the causes for the conflict with greece.
Bernard mayesvoice is distinctive, and his manner may seem at first rather fussy and pedantic. He wrote these accounts of the fifthcenturybc wars. Written about 440 bc, the histories tell the story of the war between the persian empire and. Histories by herodotus and david timson audiobook listen. But in a curious way this suits the discursive narrative style of herodotus and his indefatigable interest in details. The histories of herodotus is considered one of the seminal works of history in western literature.
Herodotus and persia chapter 18 the cambridge companion. Those which cyrus assembled and persuaded to revolt from the medes were the principal ones on which all the others are dependent. Reading herodotus, one can often get bogged down in the loops of geography, people, history, culture and meandre through miles of esoterica. The persian wars is part history, part geography, part anthropology. Herodotus traveled extensively around the ancient world, conducting interviews and collecting stories for his book. But the war between persia and greece is unimpeachable. Listen to histories by herodotus, david timson for free with a 30 day free trial. Herodotus was a greek historian born in halicarnassus, subject at the time of the great.
He wrote these accounts of the fifthcenturybc wars between the greeks and persians with a continuous awareness of the mythic and the wonderful. He describes the rise of the lydian empire under croesus, who first subdued the greek settlements on the. Herodotus and the persian wars utah state university. He wrote these accounts of the fifthcenturybc wars between the greeks and persians with a continuous awareness of the mythic and the wonderful, while. Herodotus histories book i classical wisdom weekly part 7. His histories is regarded as one of the seminal works of. In this, the first prose history in european civilization, herodotus describes the growth of the persian empire with force, authority, and style. The histories have survived until this time despite attempts by subsequent writers to impeach herodotus and his version events up to the persian clash with greece. Listen to unlimited audiobooks on the web, ipad, iphone and android.
I also purchased the histories from barnes and noble with translation by g. Macaulay the first book clio book i the first book of the histories, called clio this is the showing forth of the inquiry of herodotus of. 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 of the aegean sea and the mainland of greece. Herodotus histories full audiobook book 1 of 3 youtube. I enjoyed the audiobook, but utilized it more as a tool as i read the landmark series. 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. Herodotus histories vol 1 audio book librivox audio books. Herodotus histories book i classical wisdom weekly. Herodotus and the persian wars the organization of herodotus histories is discursive main thrust. The worlds first great narrative history, herodotuss the histories vividly describes how the greeksfew in number, poor, and disunitedmanaged to repulse a massive invasion by the. This amazing upset victory changed the course of western civilization, as the cities that led the resistance.
It may come as a surprise then that the histories of herodotus is as much about persia as about greece, and that individual persians are given just as much narrative space as individual greeks. Reading herodotus, one can often get bogged down in the loops of. Browse herodotus s bestselling audiobooks and newest titles. It has long been noticed that, besides firmament, sun, and moon, herodotuss persians adore the four fundamental elements of early greek natural. Godley 1856 1925 the histories of herodotus of halicarnassus is considered the first work of. 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. Herodotus 484425 bce the greek historian who wrote extensively on the persian empire, here describes persian customs as they would have been practiced around the year 430 bce at susa and other persian communities. 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. Herodotus histories vol 1 audiobook free audio books.
Its amazingly rich with cultural detail and gossip from the ancient world. Herodotus portrays the conflict as one between the forces of slavery the persians on the one hand, and freedom the athenians and the confederacy of greek citystates which united against the invaders on the other. Herodotus portrays the conflict as one between the forces of slavery the persians on the one hand, and freedom. Prior to that were the illiad and the oddyse by homer during the 700s b.
His histories is regarded as one of the seminal works of history in western literature. May 19, 2014 a delightful new translation of what is widely considered the first work of history and nonfiction. Herodotus histories full audiobook book 3 of 3 youtube. The histories, however, is one of those books where an audiobook helps. Herodotus the great greek historian was born about 484 bce, at halicarnassus in caria, asia minor, when it was subject to the persians. 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. The audiobook gives you a good pace and forcemarches you through to the end. Jan 18, 2012 the passage, from book i of his histories, is interesting in the way herodotus contrasts the behavior and values of the persians with those of the greeks, with the persians seeming to come off more favorably. The writings of herodotus were written to educate,amaze and to entertain. Godley 1856 1925 the histories of herodotus of halicarnassus is considered the first work of history in western literature. Reading herodotus, one can often get bogged down in the loops of geography.
Its the foundation of so many stories we know and have heard retold many times. Im becomming a little obsessed with history after getting this book. Oct 22, 2014 herodotus histories vol 1 audiobook herodotus c. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg.
In fact the persian kings cyrus, cambyses, darius, and xerxes, as well as xerxes cousin mardonius, figure even more largely in the narrative than the athenian general themistocles or the spartan king leonidas. Curiously successful herodotus read his book aloud at athens and in many ways this work seems an ideal choice for an audio book. The history of herodotus volume 1 by herodotus free ebook. The histories was at some point through the ages divided into the nine books of modern editions. In fact the persian kings cyrus, cambyses, darius, and xerxes, as well as xerxes cousin mardonius, figure even more largely in the narrative than the. The passage, from book i of his histories, is interesting in the way herodotus contrasts the behavior and values of the persians with those of the greeks, with the persians seeming to come. I really enjoyed this book because it is the first book of history ever written by man. Except for his long description of egypt in book 2, and his other forays into the past, herodotus gave the history of persia covering the reign of five kings.
Written from the 450s to the 420s bc in the ionic dialect of classical greek, the histories. Readers of herodotus who seek to uncover the cause of the grecopersian wars often find them selves baffled or confused, since he refuses to ascribe responsibility to. Perhaps most famously, the book tells the heroic tale of the greeks resistance to the vast invading force a. In this, the first prose history in european civilisation, herodotus describes the growth of the persian empire with force, authority and style. Written about 440 bc, the histories tell the story of the war between the persian empire and the greek citystates in the. The achaemenidae, from which spring all the perseid kings, is. 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. Herodotus has a wonderful, gossipy style that makes reading these histories more fun than. It is in part a gripping and much revered tale of colossal confrontation between freedom. After a short digression on thracian customs, herodotus tells us about megabazus conquest of thrace and the ensuing submission of eastern macedonia. The herodotus histories was starting to interest me after appearing on the searches, but didnt purchase until researching more what it was about. Perhaps most famously, the book tells the heroic tale of the greeks resistance to the vast invading force assembled by xerxes, king of persia. The translation rawlinsonis accurate but archaic in. A delightful new translation of what is widely considered the first work of history and nonfiction.
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