3.3 Herodotus and Greek historiography + enthography of Egypt

Who was Herodotus?

Greek-speaking writer who lived in the 5th century BCE

wrote Histories esp about Greek-Persian wars

He investigated stories + collected reports and explanations —- sometimes tells stories who’s accuracy is uncertain

Egypt often presented diff from Greece?

Herodotus describes Egyptian customs, religions, geography, and daily life by comparing Greek practices

Sometimes treated Egyptian differences as admiration or mysticism rather than as inferior

His account can reveal both info about Egypt + Greek assumptions about Egypt

Was Herodotus before Alex??

Yes before Alex and Cambyses II

What is Herodotus useful for?

Leanring about Egypt from his Greek perspective and how it shaped the story he tells