Who Is Herodotus, The Father Of History? 

Reading Heroditus is a little like listening to a very fun drunk guy at a bar telling an amazing story. The story is gonna be a little "all over the place" but it's going to be a great story if you can follow it. And like the drunk guy, the story is probably mostly true, but he didn't let the truth get in the way of a good story. 😊

Herodotus means a lot to me, since he was the very first ancient author I ever read. I found a copy of Herodotus in a second-hand bookstore when I was...maybe 14? I was absolutely captivated by it and it is largely due to him that I found my passion for Classical history and began reading the other ancient authors. Today I am a third year undergrad studying Classical History and Archaeology. I will always be thankful for that day.

I'm so glad to hear a series about Herodotus is in the pipeline. To those who have not already read this classic, I strongly recommend the Landmark Series Herodotus. The maps and footnotes are superb and greatly enriched my reading experience.

Besides the Loeb, the Tom Holland translation is my go to for Herodotus. It doesn't seem obvious at first, but you really need to keep Herodotus within arm's reach at all times when studying antiquity and the Classics. Keep up the great work, Erica 👍

Man, I'm so glad I found your channel. You post exactly my type of content. I just love the ancient history, mythology and philosophy.

When will this Herodotus series begin? I’m really looking forward to it!

Okay then Erica - let’s do Herodotus! 🥸

Over the years I've read a few of the ancient histories. I've read some Livy (the first six books plus the ones about the second Punic War), Polybius, Tacitus's Annals, Caesar's book on Gaul, Josephus, Suetonius, and some of Plutarch's biographies (all are Penguin translations). But none were as fun to read as Herodotus.

Saved his book to wishlist. Thank you again. Also, every time I watch a new vid you release, I see your subscribers have grown! Congrats on 18+K! Hope your channel continues to thrive.

This is the encouragement I needed to start reading my copy of Histories that has been sitting on my shelf for months 😊 now I am looking forward to reading it! Thank you ❤

Yesss!!! At last, we are starting the series about one of my all time favourite books. Herodotus was an amazing person and his book "speaks" deeply to anyone that is willing to "listen".

Congratulations on 18K+ subscribers , well deserved, such a fantastic channel, not only wonderful stand alone content, but also such skill as an interviewer.

As always, terrific Erica. I am going to hunt out my copy of Herodotus Histories this afternoon. I remember starting it but...... time to open it again !! Thank you for all of your hard work on our behalf you are sincerely appreciated.

I recently just finished Herodotus and I found it to be an amazing read.

I absolutely love Herodotus! I believe a slow approach is most appropriate for him.

With Herodotus, don't let the truth get in the way of a good story.

Looking forward to this series! I was hoping to read "The Histories" anyway this year. Great timing! :)

Thanks!!! I’m 59’and finally have a chance to read. Going to do Greece first, Rome next, etc…and take chrono trip of Europe

Very interested in an analysis episode, whether from yourself or with an expert, thanks! 👍

I finished reading it just a few weeks ago and will be fun to hear it now 😄! Also great to see the channel growing! Congrats!

Really looking forward to this series! I was hoping you would cover his book one day 🤗❤

It was soooo freaky ... I pulled into work today and thought Herodotus, The Father of History. I was 45 minutes early so had to wait in my car. I tuned in my favorite podcaster and Voila, the Podcast that had just been posted was Voila ... Herodotus, The Father of History! This chanell is my fav!!!!!

John David Lewis has the best lecture on Herodotus and other Greek Historians ive ever attended. Happy for this series

Really fascinating.

I’m SO looking forward to this series! I nearly picked up a Penguin translation a few weeks ago but the book was huuuuuge and I wasn’t sure I’d understand any of it so I chickened out🤣 this will help me a lot🫶🏻

I love absorbing the descriptions of peoples and countries in Herodotos.

I like saying to people I like talking like Herodotus “Ring Cycle” narrative because I love see connections in EVERYTHING and love going on tangents that do eventually come back to the point. Most people just look confused when I do say that of course 😸

So interesting and well done, but so many nuts and bolts questions. I would love a bit more context. Why did Herodotus "invent" history? Did he think he was doing something new? Which "greeks" specifically, were his target market? Who paid his travels and research? Did he plan to "sell" his work in some way? Was he hoping to create a "best seller"?

I've had my copy for over 20 years many of the pages have decided they would rather be somewhere else!I won't part with it either. Enjoyed the vid,thanks. 😊

I have the Tom Holland translation , haven’t gotten around to reading it but definitely will , good video 🙌😎

Okay … your energy, passion for the subject and knowledge has me hooked! Subscribed! I would like to read the book… but will follow your videos first! Great video!

Sounds like translations could vary quite significantly, any recommendations for which one to start with?

Thank you very much for all the total nerd history! I appreciate your opinion and explanation of Herodotus

Oh I love this book.

I'm glad to have found your channel. Amazing! 👍

This is a very nice look at Herododtus! Now here is my dumb comment.....thank you for annunciating literally with all it's syllables!

Love your enthusiasm.

In Search of Heroditus starring Nicholas Cage and Emma Watson coming out soon.

Thanks!

Hello. Thank you. Seems like I have my summer project! Will you be suggesting or recommending which translation will be appropriate.

Congratulations. I'm nearly fifty years old and recently took a second attempt at The Histories. This time, I read about four hundred pages. It's an excellent book, but will I ever finish it? Maybe the third time is the charm?

Excellent introduction

Your copy of Histories looks as bad, and probably worse, than mine. Have had mine since 1994. During many of those years it was usually in my vehicle for use in waiting rooms or anywhere I had to hurry up & wait for long stretches. It ended up getting multiple reads after I busted my spine in '99 and, for decades had to sit in pain treatment hospital waiting rooms wasting a lot of time. Very handy, but my book barely resembles what it once was. It's an abomination. At least I managed to keep the spine in pretty good condition. 😊 Edit: It's the old David Grene translation 1st edition with the red cover. Too bad I didn't keep it safe, seems like some value it highly.

I wonder whether the Iliad's portrayal of both sides of the Trojan War as having heroic warriors influenced Herodotus' fair treatment of both sides of the Persian wars? Or, more interestingly, as he'd inquired on both sides of the conflict, maybe his efforts mirrored that of the development of the Iliad, producing a similar result. It's fun to speculate...

Herodotos (means Chosen by Hera) was much maligned for that ''fantasy element'' some people (not always with genuine motives) were going as far as labeling him ''The father of lies'', rejecting his work altogether. The pretty much proven theory that these segments were probably the product of a ''broken telephone'' interview with the locals, put that to rest. Herodotos was named the Father of History because nobody else before though to have that on site, journalistic approach. The first historian though, who pretty much set the standards for the procedure of writing down history was Thucydides (actually pronounced Thukydides -sorry but I hate the way the English language messes up Greek). He took what Herodotos started and cranked it to 11 but in a more clinical and ''scientific'' way. Herodotos will happily include a cool story, to entertain the audience. Thucydides gives zero Fs about your entertainment. If he cant confirm something with preferably several witnesses or being there himself (he was a General), its not going in. He also tries to keep his personal feelings out. The result is dry, but much more reliable.

I always viewed Herodotus as a travelogue who writes about the interesting and unusual local myths, cultures, and histories he heard as he ranged far about. Not devoted to accuracy as much as the target readers' interests. Just writing down all the juicy bits he was told or read, much being second- or third-hand. Similar to today's RU-vidrs who do videos on interesting and unusual historical events & culture.

Who is this beautiful English avatar of Apollo and Aphrodite making such got dang wholesome content?! I'm in love. ❤ Found this channel, already watch listing all of the videos of my favorite classics. I get such a nerdy fulfilling experience listening to your excellent commentary and perspectives. This heckin talented woman deserves an award for her library of amazing content. ❤❤❤

Would you tell us about your copy miss? Your favorite translation? 🐺

How did you go from barely any subs to almost 20k in so short a time?

Fantastic video:)

There is difference between history and chronicle. History attrmpts to make sense of the recorded events chronicles is a list of events.

Lovely vid :)

did you hear about how the recent translations of one of the Herculaneum scrolls?

BTW what version of Herodotus do you recommend?

Kudos!

Any recommendations for which translation to read?

He never let a fact get in the way of a good story.

A: "The Barnam of the ancient world".

love you ❤

Which translation is your favorite?

"I bought a ticket, to the wo-o-orld, but now, I've co-me back, a-gain...."

Are you reading Tucídides?

In order to understand the HISTORY of HERODOTUS you have to UNDERSTAND THE LANGUAGE You are excellent, brilliant, correct you have to focus

Yay

You are so beautiful n cute Erica, especially since you are nerding out over big daddy Herodotus! And I love English accents 😻😻😻😻😻

decade after decade, archaeologists find evidence that Herodotus has alot of accurate stuff in his books

Very good. Oh Herodotus is all Greek to me

Wasn't Xenophon an historian?

HIGH ERICA HAIL CESARE 💪💪🙏🙏👍👍

No. He isn't. There is a first-hand eyewitness to history that secular humans dismiss as fabled.

You're attractive. I also like your accent.

lol who is that a busk of? That;s funny.

you should really not move your hands so much... I'm having trouble seeing if you have a wedding ring in your finger... or if I can make a proposal myself! 🥰

Ur adorable! R u Greek?

God is the Father of history as He started time. Herodotus is one of the most well known historians.