Greatbooks Presentation about The histories

The histories

1. The Histories
by: Herodotus

2. Writers background
▪Herodotus: (c. 484 – c. 425 BC) was a Greek historian and geographer, often
called the "Father of History." He is most famous for writing The Histories, which is
recognized as the first great narrative history of the ancient world.

3. Herodotus definition of history
▪Herodotus defined history as "knowledge acquired through inquiry", deriving the
term from the Greek word "historia". The Greek term historia originally meant
"inquiry" or "knowledge acquired by investigation." Herodotus used this term to
describe his detailed accounts of the Greco-Persian Wars. Over time, historia
evolved to include the study of past events, solidifying its connection with the
discipline recognized today as history.

4. about the Histories
▪The Histories primarily chronicles the Greco-Persian Wars (499-479 BC), detailing
the conflicts, key battles, and their aftermath. The series is divided into nine books,
each named after a Muse.
▪Herodotus's Histories extends beyond military accounts, incorporating extensive
geographical, ethnographical, and cultural information about various civilizations,
including Persia, Egypt, Scythia, and Greece. He meticulously describes the
customs, beliefs, and social structures of these societies.

5. the nine books and their corresponding
muse
▪The nine books and their corresponding Muses are, :
▪1. Clio: The Muse of History
▪2. Euterpe: The Muse of music/lyric poetry
▪3. Thalia: The Muse of comedy
▪4. Melpomene: The Muse of tragedy
▪5. Terpsichore: The Muse of dance and song/poetry
▪6. Erato: The Muse of erotic poetry/mime
▪7. Polymnia: The Muse of hymns/lyric poetry
▪8. Urania: The Muse of astronomy
▪9. Calliope: The Muse of epic poetry

6. book 1 clio:
▪Book 1, Clio, of Herodotus' Histories details the historical tensions between the
Persians and the Hellenes, offering insights into the military campaigns and
dynastic transitions of Lydian and Persian kings. Herodotus begins by exploring the
early conflicts and grievances between the Persians and Greeks, setting the stage
for the Greco-Persian Wars .

7. ▪Key events and figures in Book 1 (Clio):
▪- Early Conflicts: The Phoenicians kidnap Io, the daughter of King Inachus of Argos,
leading to retaliatory abductions by the Hellenes, which initiates the
Persian-Hellenic enmity .
▪- The story of Gyges: King Candavlus is murdered by Gyges, who then assumes the
throne of Lydia. The Delphic oracle predicts that retribution will be exacted from
Gyges's fifth-generation descendant .
▪- Reign of Croesus: Croesus, a Lydian king, forms an alliance with Sparta and
confronts Cyrus, the king of Persia. Croesus is defeated and captured, leading to
Cyrus's rise as ruler of Asia .
▪- Cyrus's Campaigns: Cyrus conquers the Assyrians and Babylon, but dies in a
campaign against the Massagetae.

8. book 2 euterpe:
▪Book 2, Euterpe, of Herodotus' Histories primarily discusses the history,
geography, customs, and religious practices of Egypt. Named after the Greek muse
of music and lyric poetry, this book delves into the unique aspects of Egyptian
civilization, often contrasting them with those of Greece.

9. ▪Key topics covered in Book 2 (Euterpe):
▪- Geography of Egypt: Detailed descriptions of the Nile River, the landscape, and
the division of the country. Herodotus explains how Egypt is essentially a gift of the
Nile, with the land being formed by the river's silt deposits .
▪- Egyptian Customs: Herodotus explores various customs, including medicine,
funeral rites, food, and the roles of men and women in society. He notes that
Egyptians practice circumcision for cleanliness, believe sickness comes from food,
and have specialized physicians for each malady .

10. ▪- Religious Practices: Discussion of Egyptian religious beliefs and practices, such
as their views on the soul's immortality and the worship of various gods. Herodotus
also points out differences between Egyptian and Greek religious customs .
▪- Animals of Egypt: Descriptions of the various animals found in Egypt, including
cats, dogs, crocodiles, hippopotamuses, and sacred serpents. The Egyptians held
certain animals sacred and had specific customs related to them, such as shaving
their eyebrows after the death of a cat .
▪- Kings of Egypt: Accounts of various Egyptian kings, including Menes, Nitocris,
Sesostris, and others, along with stories and anecdotes about their reigns .

11. book 3 thalia
▪Book 3, Thalia, of Herodotus' Histories focuses on the reign of Cambyses, the son
of Cyrus, and his military campaigns, particularly in Egypt. This book recounts
Cambyses's conquest of Egypt, his subsequent rule, and various anecdotes that
shed light on Persian customs and beliefs

12. ▪Key events and themes explored in Book 3 (Thalia):
▪- Cambyses's Conquest of Egypt: Cambyses successfully invades Egypt, defeating
Pharaoh Psammenitus III at the Battle of Pelusium in 525 BC. The victory marks a
significant expansion of the Persian Empire.
▪- Cambyses's Rule in Egypt: Cambyses's rule is portrayed as tyrannical. Herodotus
recounts acts of sacrilege, including the killing of the sacred Apis bull, and general
disrespect for Egyptian customs and religion.
▪- Failed Expeditions: Cambyses launches several ill-fated military expeditions,
including attempts to conquer Ethiopia and attack the Oasis of Ammon. These
campaigns suffer from logistical problems and ultimately fail.

13. ▪- The Story of Polycrates of Samos: The narrative includes a digression about
Polycrates, the tyrant of Samos, who initially allied with the Egyptians but later
switched sides to the Persians. Polycrates's story illustrates the themes of
ambition, fortune, and retribution.
▪- The Death of Cambyses: Cambyses dies under mysterious circumstances while
in Syria, possibly by accidental suicide. His death leads to a period of instability in
the Persian Empire.
▪- The Usurper Smerdis: Following Cambyses's death, a Magian priest named
Smerdis (or Gaumata) seizes the throne by impersonating Cambyses's deceased
brother. This usurpation leads to further turmoil and sets the stage for the rise of
Darius I.

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