Introducing Herodotus: Introduction to Ancient History

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering the life of Herodotus, the style and scope of his Histories, and the historical narrative and archaeological objects from Books 1 to 3.

The Esarhaddon Prism

A Near Eastern royal text dating to 673/2 BCE written by or on behalf of an elite ruler; used by modern scholars to reconstruct past events, but not considered a work of history in the modern sense.

Herodotus

Ancient author born around 484 BCE in Halicarnassus who died probably before 413 BCE; wrote the inquiry in prose known as the Histories and traveled throughout the eastern Mediterranean, including Egypt, south Italy, and Athens.

Halicarnassus

The birthplace of Herodotus, located in Caria on the east coast of the Aegean (modern-day Bodrum).

Ionic Greek

The specific Greek dialect in which Herodotus wrote the Histories, distinct from the Attic Greek typically taught in modern university curricula.

The Nine Books

The structural arrangement into which Herodotus' Histories is divided, an editorial organization created in the centuries after his death.

Proem of the Histories

Herodotus' opening statement declaring his inquiry so that human achievements are not forgotten, the great deeds of Hellenes and barbarians retain their glory, and the causes of their wars are recorded.

Croesus of Lydia

The ruler of Lydia introduced in Book 1 (chapter 6) as the first individual to force Greeks to pay tribute; later defeated by Cyrus of Persia.

Astyages

The ruler of Media whose story and overthrow by Cyrus of Persia are recounted in Book 1 (chapters 107–130) of the Histories.

Harpagus

The Persian general under Cyrus who oversaw the military subjection of the Greek cities of Asia, recorded in Book 1 (chapters 141–176).

Massagetae

A Scythian group against whom Cyrus launched his final military campaign and in battle against whom he met his death, detailed in Book 1 (chapters 200–216).

Median Treaty with Esarhaddon

A cuneiform tablet containing the text of a treaty agreed between the Assyrian king Esarhaddon and a ruler of a Median city.

Cambyses

The son and successor of Cyrus of Persia who planned and led the Persian invasion of Egypt, introduced at the start of Book 2 and detailed in Book 3 (chapters 1–30).

26th Dynasty

The dynasty of Egyptian kings spanning from Psammetichus I to Amasis whose history is documented in Book 2 (chapters 147–182).

Aegis of Ra Prow-Terminal

A bronze terminal from the prow of a ritual barque in the form of the aegis of Ra, featuring gilded decoration with a royal prenomen set in a cartouche.