Herodotus

Statue of Herodotus. Handmade of alabaster,and painted in museum patina.

Herodotus (c. 484 – 425/413 BCE) was a Greek writer who invented the field of study known today as `history’. He was called `The Father of History’ by the Roman writer and orator Cicero for his famous work The Histories but has also been called “The Father of Lies” by critics who claim these `histories’ are little more than tall tales.

 Early criticism of his work has been refuted by later archaeological evidence .  Which proves that his most-often criticized claims were, in fact, accurate.  Or at least, based on accepted information of the time. In the present day, Herodotus continues to be recognized as The Father of History .  And also  a reliable source of information on the ancient world by the majority of historians

The Histories 

While it is undeniable that Herodotus makes some mistakes in his work, his Histories are generally reliable and scholarly studies in all disciplines concerning his work (from archaeology to ethnology and more) have continued to substantiate all of his most important observations.

Herodotus identifies himself in the prologue to his work as a native of Halicarnassus (on the south-west coast of Asia Minor, modern Turkey) and this is accepted as his birthplace even though Aristotle and the Suda claim he was a native of Thurii (a Greek colony in the region of modern-day Italy). This discrepancy is generally understood as a mistake made in an ancient source (possibly a translation of Herodotus’ work).  As Herodotus may have lived at Thurii but had not been born there.

He traveled widely in Egypt, Africa, and Asia Minor and wrote down his experiences and observations.  Providing later generations with detailed accounts of important historical events (such as the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE and the engagements of Thermopylae and Salamis in 480 BCE) everyday life in Greece,

Early Life & Travels

While little is known of the details of his life, it seems certain that he came from a wealthy, aristocratic family in Asia Minor.  Who could afford to pay for his education. His skill in writing is thought to be evidence of a thorough course in the best schools of his day. He wrote in Ionian Greek and was clearly well read. His ability to travel, seemingly at will, also argues for a man of some means. It is thought he served in the army as a Hoplite in that his descriptions of battle are quite precise and always told from the point of view of a foot soldier.