Herodotus: The Father of History | Persons, Personalities, and Peoples (Lecture 20)

Lecture 20: This lecture begins by discussing one of the most characteristic elements of Herodotus’ methodology, which we have seen at work throughout the Histories: his use of individuals and their actions as explanations for historical events.

The lecture discusses some of the types of individuals who recur throughout the Histories, including the “wise advisor,” the overly arrogant king, and the authoritative woman, and notes how, in Herodotus’ presentation, the events of history are driven not by sweeping political or economic factors but by these individuals. We then consider the question of Herodotus’ accuracy in his portrayal of relatively recent figures, such as Themistocles.

Next, the lecture turns to examining Herodotus’ treatment of whole peoples and nations and considers his statements about the importance of nomos (custom) for understanding different peoples and their interactions with the Greeks.

Supplementary Reading:
Burn, Persia and the Greeks, Ch. 14.
Evans, Herodotus, Explorer of the Past, Essay Two.
Flory, Archaic Smile, Ch. 3.
Lattimore, “Wise Advisor.”
Thomas, Herodotus in Context, Ch. 4.

Lecture 21: https://www.bitchute.com/video/NAh1plqe0nJW/