The histories of herodotus is considered the founding work of history in western literature. I got much other information also from conversation with these priests while i was at memphis, and i even went to heliopolis and to thebes, expressly to try. In book 2 herodotus takes us on a travel tour of egypt. The history of herodotus rawlinsonbook 2 wikisource, the free. 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. The first book of the histories, called clio this is the showing forth of the inquiry of herodotus of halicarnassos, to the end that 1 neither the deeds of men may be forgotten by lapse of time, nor the works 2 great and marvellous, which have been produced some by hellenes and some by barbarians, may lose their renown. The histories of herodotus of halicarnassus is considered the first work of history in western literature. Chapter ix summary chapter ix page 1 page 2 page 3 analysis the concept of history plays a large and crucial role in the english patient. Book 2 of herodotus opens up with what must be one of history s earliest recorded descriptions of a scientific experiment, also one the stupidest.
This excursus on the countrys natural and manmade marvels sets the scene for his account of egypts invasion in 525 bce by the persian king cambyses, cyrus son, in the following book. The history of herodotus 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, nor the works2 great and marvellous, which have been produced some by hellenes and some by barbarians, may. The second book of the histories, called euterpe 1. Herodotus histories book ii classical wisdom weekly. Book 2 summary in book 2, herodotus discusses the geography, zoology, customs, and history of ancient egypt. Pdf the histories book by herodotus free download 716 pages. Herodotus often accepted stories and reputations uncritically and reported them as facts. Book 2 of herodotus opens up with what must be one of historys earliest recorded descriptions of a scientific experiment, also one the stupidest. The phoenicians, who had formerly dwelt on the shores of the persian gulf. This happens quite literally in one scene, where hana uses miscellaneous books from the library to repair the stairs. For anyone with even the slightest interest in ancient history, herodotuss history is compulsory reading an authentic voice from the past that takes us back into the 5th and 6th centuries bce, to let us witness the epochmaking confrontation between the greeks and the all powerful persian empire. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. To read the history herodotus only book is to seek ones roots as a member of western democratic civilization. The histories of herodotus of halicarnassus, volume 1.
Book i 299k book ii 249k book iii 221k book iv 230k book v 162k book vi 174k book vii 286k book viii 179k. Herodotus traveled extensively around the ancient world, conducting interviews and collecting stories for his book. Our division of the histories in nine books goes back to an edition by scholars of the third century bce, working in the great library of alexandria. Herodotus histories full audiobook book 2 of 3 youtube.
Simultaneously, it tells the story of the growth of the persian empire. The history of herodotus by herodotus, part of the internet classics archive. Herodotus lays out the history of egypt until the reign of amasis, the pharaoh that cambyses will defeat in histories. And its actually on topic because its an exploration of. The history book ii great books of the western world. Godley, read by librivox volunteers, proofed, coordinated, and produced by karen merline. Book i 299k book ii 249k book iii 221k book iv 230k book v 162k book vi 174k book. A flawed and fascinating account of all things egyptian, much of it from firsthand testimony. This is the story which i heard from the priests of hephaestus temple at memphis. In the histories, he describes the expansion of the achaemenid empire under its kings cyrus the great, cambyses, and darius i the great, culminating in xerxes expedition to greece 480 bce, which met with disaster in the naval engagement at salamis and the battles at plataea and mycale. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Histories, by herodotus, is an ancient greek text that tells the history of the wars between greece and persia.
Without booksthe herodotus book in particularthe gaps between the characters would be unable to bridge. Opening alludes to homer, suggests epic scale and purpose memorialization. Histories book 2 the history of egypt summary course hero. Herodotus histories book ii the second book of the histories, called euterpe 1. Written in 440 bc in the ionic dialect of classical greek, the histories serves as a record of the ancient traditions, politics, geography, and clashes of various.
This may seem like a diversion from his topic of the great wars between the greeks and the persians, but its a pleasant diversion. It is the book of herodotusitself a historyin which almasy records not only his travels and explorations, but his thoughts about the affair with katharine. The first edition of the novel was published in 440, and was written by herodotus. The title father of history is universally accorded to herodotus, ca 484 ca 425 bc, who was born in halicarnassus modern bodrum on the southwestern coast of what is today turkey.
The histories of herodotus is considered one of the seminal works of history in western literature. The history of herodotus, volume 2, free pdf global grey. Sep 21, 20 herodotus traveled extensively around the ancient world, conducting interviews and collecting stories for his book. When cyrus had brought his life to an end, cambyses received the royal power in succession, being the son of cyrus and of cassandane the daughter of pharnaspes, for whose death, which came about before his own, cyrus had made great mourning himself and also had proclaimed to all those over whom he bore rule that they should make. The histories herodotus translated by george rawlinson book 1 these are the researches of herodotus of halicarnassus, which he publishes, in the hope of thereby preserving from decay the remembrance of what men have done, and of preventing the great and wonderful actions of the greeks and the barbarians from. The book shows literature and historys power to repair. The second book, which focused mainly on egypt got a little more bogged down in these pesky things called facts. Quite a few comments have been posted about the history of herodotus. The rise of the persian empire is chronicled, and the causes for the conflict. Cambyses becomes king of the persian empire 530522 bc.
When cyrus had brought his life to an end, cambyses received the royal power. The history of herodotus, parallel englishgreek, tr. Euterpe on the death of cyrus, cambyses his son by cassandane daughter of pharnaspes took the kingdom. The histories by herodotus book ii, euterpe knowitall to. The history book ii book 2 is named after the greek muse euterpe. For anyone with even the slightest interest in ancient history, herodotus s history is compulsory reading an authentic voice from the past that takes us back into the 5th and 6th centuries bce, to let us witness the epochmaking confrontation between the greeks and the all powerful persian empire. Macaulay, 1890, full text etext at the history of herodotus, parallel englishgreek.
In book 2, herodotus discusses the geography, culture, and history of egypt. When cyrus had brought his life to an end, cambyses received the royal power in succession. The internet classics archive the history of herodotus. Herodotuss history is an account of the grecopersian wars 499479 bce and the story of the growth and organization of the persian empire. The history of herodotus by herodotus the internet classics archive. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the history of herodotus volume 2. 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. The first book was full of crazy and probably some history snuck in there too. 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. The history of herodotus volume 2 kindle edition by.
He is the pharaoh senusret iii, known to herodotus. His plan to conquer egypt gives herodotus the opportunity. This is a chapterbychapter summary, with occasional notes, of the histories of herodotus, based mostly on the translation by peter greene 1987, with occasional reference to translations by a. The history of herodotus volume 2 kindle edition by herodotus, macaulay, g. Written about 440 bc, the histories tell the story of the war between the persian empire and the greek citystates in the 5th.
Herodotus covers the empires geography, social structure, and history before describing the events which led to xerxes invasion of greece and the greek citystates uniting to defeat his army. The internet classics archive the history of herodotus by. Herodotus the great greek historian was born about 484 bce, at halicarnassus in caria, asia minor, when it was subject to the persians. Free download or read online the histories pdf epub book. Her name is derived from the greek word meaning delight.
Greek researcher, often called the worlds first historian. Herodotus attempts to relate the whole history of the kings of egypt, although he does not describe all 350 pharaohs he claims have ruled the country. The history of herodotus, volume 2 paperback march 5, 2010. Herodotus was a greek writer and geographer credited with being the first historian. The main characters of this classics, non fiction story are. 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. Summary of and commentary on herodotus histories, book 7, 2015 your bibliography. Oct 09, 2017 the histories of herodotus of halicarnassus, volume 1.
The history of herodotus has been divided into the following sections. His plan to conquer egypt gives herodotus the opportunity to dedicate three logoi to the ancient kingdom on the. Summary of and commentary on herodotus histories, book 7. Herodotus describes the birth and rise to power of cyrus, who liberated persia from the medes, and the subsequent expansion of the persian empire until cyrus death during a war with the massagetae.