The Histories

HERODOTUS: THE HISTORIES - The Barnes & Noble review

Whew! Just finished The Histories last night. I read the Oxford World's Classics edition translated by Robin Waterfield. It's very long (the text is nearly 600 pages, not including the introduction and end notes), but the translation is easy to read.

A friend once asked me why I was reading it. I don't recall exactly what I told her, but first and foremost I think it's an ego thing -- not that anyone but me cares that I've read it, but there's a certain satisfaction in knowing that I haven't missed it. It was also a good exercise of willpower and determination.

Parts of it were familiar, although most was new to me. It took several months to wade through, mainly because the only time I have to read is when I'm winding down to go to sleep at night. This usually lasts about 10 minutes. Some parts were mildly interesting, some were definitely page-turners, and some were definitely sleep-inducers.

But, believe it or not, there are a few things I learned from Herodotus. For example, people and societies don't change a whole lot. Oh sure, on the surface we've come a long way since 500 BC, but the motivations, desires, and politics are all very familiar.

A particularly fascinating bit of information that this Western Dead White Male has preserved is that there was a woman whose "manly courage" compelled her to command five ships in the Persian campaign against Greece. "Artemisia was her name... Hers was the second most famous squadron in the entire navy... None of Xerxes' allies gave him better advice than her." (7.99) Artemisia is mentioned several times in various contexts. Herodotus seems rather impressed with her, but not at all appreciative that this woman chose to be impressive against Greece.

All in all, it is more fun to say that I have read The Histories than it was to actually read it, but I don't regret the time spent in the least. I've filled in a bit more of the historical timeline in my head and gained a bit more of an idea of what the world has gone through to become what it is.

SET - 5/11/2000

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