His accounts of the great battles of marathon and thermopylae, of salamis and plataea, retain. The histories of herodotus, completed in the second half of the 5th century bc, is generally regarded as the first work of history and the first great masterpiece of nonfiction writing. To make this point further, salamis lasts 8 chapters, from chapter 84 to around chapter 92 herodotus 8. A commentary of similar quality on book 7, the thermopylae book, would be well received. He travelled widely in most of asia minor, egypt as far as assuan, north africa, syria, the country north of the black sea, and many parts. The first reference is linked here and by exploring the place detail and reading view you can begin to see how herodotus presents his historia and start your own enquiry into why and how the battle took place in this particular location. By and large, the battle of thermopylae from herodotus the histories was an extremely notable and remarkable battle for the history of the west, as well as the world. In fact, herodotus account of the battle, in book vii of his histories, is such an important source that paul cartledge wrote. He claims that 100 bronze gates were erected at the entrance of babylon, and that babylons. What three things gave the greeks at thermopylae notice that their doom was upon them. In book 5 herodotus maps out the persian and greek conflict with the cause of evils as athenian ships sent to help the milesians revolt. Why does herodotus think that leonidas sent the nonspartan troops away before the final battle at thermopylae.
In their excellent recent scholarly commentary on herodotus book 9 flower and marincola eds 2002 deal fully with his account of plataea, which sealed the greeks victory over the invading persians. The main source for the battle of 480 is herodotus, histories, 7. His accounts of the great battles of marathon and thermopylae. Herodotus magnificent writing have vividly explained one of the most exceptional battles, in addition to showing the world the incredible greek society, and the ever so. This place is called thermopylae by most of the hellenes, but by the natives and.
Xerxes according to herodotus encyclopaedia iranica. Being unable to mobilize a stronger force on time due to religious reasons, the spartans sent. The young king inherited a solid empire, which was greater than any before in history. Named polymnia after the greek muse of sacred poetry. Ramsey parra llrn 151 01 300 scholars, artists, authors, and filmmakers in recent years have been interested in herodotus s depiction of the battle of thermopylae, creating several different versions and interpretations of the story across multiple forms of media. On the battle of thermopylae itself, two principal sources, herodotus and simonides accounts, survive. Instantly he sent off messengers to make proclamation through the several states that. When do the battles at thermopylae and artemisium take place. The battle at thermopylae first, a word about the badasses from sparta and athens. Nominally, xerxes expedition was directed against athens, but its real objective was the conquest of the whole of greece. Chapter summary for herodotus s histories, book 7 the battle of thermopylae summary.
Few history books since can compare for sheer drama with herodotuss narrative of the persian invasions of greece. While they all knew it was coming, they didnt see it in the same way. It can be assigned as homework or as a classroom exercise in which students go over the passages and questions in class, taking turns individually or. Herodotus and the 300 at thermopylae 221 is on the march, which likewise lists a great number of peoples, but also includes some description of the peoples themselves, especially the armament they carry. Family history of leonidas, the spartan basileusand commander 204. Few history books since can compare for sheer drama with herodotus s narrative of the persian invasions of greece.
The history of herodotus has been divided into the following sections. In book 1, herodotus announces his purpose to memorialize the great and marvelous deeds of the greeks and their barbarian neighbors, and, more particularly, to show why they came into conflict. This expedition against athens threatened all of greece. Herodotus makes 31 references to thermopylae in the histories, mostly in chapter 7. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Herodotus records the size and composition of the greek fleet271 ships in total. A military historian, bradford makes sense of the complicated maneuvers and does a very thorough background on all components of the battle, from the three rows of trireme rowers to an analysis of the less than treachery of. Herodotus the histories, book 7, polymnia 8239 battle of thermopylae. Histories book 7 the battle of thermopylae summary. Herodotus provides detail on many aspects of this conflict, which the greeks eventually won, after battles at thermopylae, salamis, and platea. Book i 299k book ii 249k book iii 221k book iv 230k book v 162k book vi 174k book vii 286k book viii 179k.
However it is reported also that leonidas himself sent them away, having a care that they might not perish, but thinking that it was not seemly for himself and for the spartans who were present to leave the post to which they had come at first to keep guard there. The book moves ahead in a majestic trajectory to ultimately describe the persiangreek war, with xerxes leading his great force into greece. The british title for this book, the year of thermopylae london, 1980, is much more descriptive since the book covers events leading up to and including thermopylae. Sparta was a military citystate with two kings that claimed to be the descendent of the demigod hercules. Herodotus excerpts from book vii of the histories translated and edited by a. Herodotus the great greek historian was born about 484 bce, at halicarnassus in caria, asia minor, when it was subject to the persians. Which, if any, have you heard about before in movies, books or popular media. Creation, by gore vidal, interpreting many scenes from the persian viewpoint. Thoughts on book seven of the histories of herodotus. This chapter outlines the epic backdrop to the battle of thermopylae, and includes a catalogue of epic echoes throughout herodotus book 7 as well as a detailed discussion of herodotus battle narrative.
Gates of fire, by stephen pressfield, has the battle of thermopylae book vii as its centrepiece. Was the battle of thermopylae militarily significant or merely symbolic. In book one of the histories, when herodotus describes the physical and political atmosphere in persia, he greatly exaggerates how massively fortified the city of babylon is. The histories of herodotus of halicarnassus is considered the first work of history in western literature. Pharaoh, by boleslaw prus, incorporating the labyrinth scenes inspired by herodotus description in book ii of the histories. Having stated this at the beginning of the twentysecond logos, herodotus feels compelled to express an opinion which he knows to be unpopular. Polymnia now when tidings of the battle that had been fought at marathon reached the ears of king darius, the son of hystaspes, his anger against the athenians, which had been already roused by their attack upon sardis, waxed still fiercer, and he became more than ever eager to lead an army against greece. Herodotus s depiction of the battle of thermopylae 1278 words 6 pages.
Full audio books for everyone earns money off of the above links. In this course, dr emma aston university of reading explores book 7 of herodotus histories. The histories is also the source of much of our knowledge of the ancient world. This place is called thermopylae by most of the hellenes, but by the natives and their neighbors pylae. Here we get the most bodacious recount of the battle of thermopylae and the noble 300 spartans who. The emphasis on storytelling in the battles of herodotus. What is the witticism of dieneces the spartan as relates to the persians.
His goal no longer is the punishment of athens, but the subjugation of europe. The battle of thermopylae from herodotus the histories. The emphasis on storytelling in the battles of herodotus histories books 7 9 william johnson, 2017. King xerxes lay encamped in trachis in malis and the hellenes in the pass. The spartans had killed some envoys from xerxes who were offering a.
Here we get the most bodacious recount of the battle of thermopylae. Summary of and commentary on herodotus histories, book 7, 2015 your bibliography. Herodotus versus the legend a narratological comparison of herodotus and diodorus on thermopylae narrative and identity in thermopylae herodotus 7. However i will not reckon them as either fewer or more, but take them at an equal number. The activity itself engages students in attentive reading of key passages from book 7 of herodotus histories 7. Simonides, ephorus, and herodotus on the battle of. For how long was the second persian invasion of greece delayed. We begin by thinking about herodotus as a historian, the aims in his histories, and the extent to which the histories represents both a continuation of and a break from the traditions of greek historiography and mythography. According to herodotus, the city of babylon had magnificence greater than all other cities of which we have knowledge. It is generally agreed that ephorus was diodorus source for books 1116 of his bibliotheke,s the invasion of xerxes being narrated within the first thirtyseven chapters of book 11. Herodotus refers to thermopylae 31 times, mainly in book 7.
The history of herodotus by herodotus written 440 b. Herodotus and the dating of the battle of thermopylae. First of all, if we are to believe herodotus, only 299 spartans fought at thermopylae, but lets answer the questions one by one. How leonidas got to be king of sparta on his brothers deaths. We have therefore to add to the sum already reached an exactly equal amount. Herodotus notes that while xerxes ostensibly meant to punish athens, his real intent was to conquer all of greece.
Cavaignac believes it is actually the eclipse of 2 october and xerxes was starting out, not from sardis, but from therma. He describes the rise of the lydian empire under croesus, who first subdued the greek settlements on the. A military historian, bradford makes sense of the complicated maneuvers and does a very thorough background on all components of the battle, from the three rows of trireme rowers to an analysis of the less than. Some submitted to persia thinking they wouldnt get hurt. The internet classics archive the history of herodotus. Herodotus states that an eclipse occurred at salamis, in 480, when xerxes began his march 7. The roster of the greek contingents at thermopylae 20.
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