Herodotus as a Historian

Essay # 59278

History > Greek and Roman
Literature > Greek and Roman

A discussion on whether Herodotus's "Histories" can be considered an accurate historical account.

1,826 words () | 10 sources | MLA | 2005 United Kingdom

Paper Summary:

This paper examines to what extent is it necessary to qualify the description of Herodotus as a historian. It looks at how Herodotus's perception of history is far removed from the critical eye of a modern historian, and this paper considers where the discrepancies lie and appreciates Herodotus's "Histories".

From the Paper:

"Herodotus' attempts to draw moral lessons from the study of great events formed the basis of Greek and Roman historical tradition upheld by later historians such as Livy. He intended to arouse political awareness and responsibility by recalling examples from the events of the past. The Persian Wars, between Eastern and Western powers, brings to mind the Peloponnesian war; in the same way that Croesus did not have to attack Persia, nor did Athens have to attack Sicily. Like Aristophanes in his comedies, Herodotus is unable to entirely divorce his own political sympathies from his work. At 3.80-2 three figures give conflicting speeches on the virtues of democracy, oligarchy and monarchy."