Herodotus: The Father of History | Cyrus and the Foundation of the Persian Empire (Lecture 11)

Lecture 11: In this lecture, we turn from Herodotus’ account of Croesus of Lydia to his treatment of Cyrus, king of Persia. The lecture begins by summarizing modern scholarship on the Medes and Persians, their relationship to one another, and the importance of Cyrus as the first powerful Persian king. The lecture outlines the most important episodes of Cyrus’ reign, his conquests of Media, Lydia, and Babylon, noting where Herodotus is our only source of information and where he is supported by other sources.

The lecture then examines Herodotus’ account of Cyrus. We consider the legendary elements in Herodotus’ story of Cyrus’ birth and childhood and some of the implications of this treatment of the great Persian king. Finally, the lecture discusses Cyrus as an example of the dual nature of Herodotus’ narrative when it treats events several generations before his own day: The story of Cyrus inextricably mixes legend and fact. The lecture ends by quickly sketching the accession of Cyrus’ son Cambyses.

Essential Reading:
Herodotus, Book I.93–211.

Supplementary Reading:
Burn, Persia and the Greeks, Chs. 2–3.
Cambridge Ancient History, Vol. 4, pp. 6–52; 120–129.
Cook, Persian Empire, Chs. 3–4.
Immerwahr, Form and Thought, pp. 161–167.
Vandiver, Heroes in Herodotus, Appendix C.

Lecture 12: https://www.bitchute.com/video/EGCOtQn7slOT/