Herodotus: Ancient Historian

Ancient Historians: Herodotus

Herodotus was born around 484 BCE in Halicarnassus, a polis (city-state) south of Ionia, which is located in modern Turkey.
He lived during the time of the Ionian school of philosophy, which was centered in the town of Miletus.
The Ionian School was known for its 'scientific' foundation based on observable evidence and rational argument.

Herodotus was influenced by the Ionian School but also by older traditions of poetry and myth. These influences are blended with empirical observation in The Histories.
Around 500 BCE, Hecataeus, a product of the Ionian School, traced family histories back to mythical times.
Hellanicus of Lesbos recorded ethnographies and myths.
Herodotus was also strongly influenced by the poets Homer and Hesiod (ca. 750-650 BCE).
The context into which Herodotus was born was the right time and place, but he also made a significant leap forward.

The Histories were written around 440 BCE and cover the history of the Graeco-Persian War from approximately 550 to 449 BCE. Herodotus was born shortly after the war ended, making it recent history for him.
The Histories is regarded as the only reliable account extant.
Herodotus emphasizes the importance of historical enquiry and impartiality, contrasting his work with chronicles told from a single perspective.
Herodotus states the purpose of his enquiry is to prevent the traces of human events from being erased by time, and to preserve the fame of the important and remarkable achievements produced by both Greeks and non-Greeks.

Travel: Herodotus traveled extensively, using ethnography and oral history as key components of his methodology. During his travels, he recorded details of customs and religion.
Oral history: Herodotus gathered information by talking to people he met in his travels.
Herodotus acknowledges the limits of his knowledge, distinguishing himself from a poet by not being an all-knowing narrator.