Herodotus histories sparknotes

Herodotus obvious Halicarnassus: The History
(or Histories, or Inquiries)
Outline summary by Michael McGoodwin, arranged 1996

Acknowledgement: This work has been summarized using the University of Chicago edition  transl. David Grene 1987.  Numbers incomplete in square brackets or parentheses mean to the page numbers in that edition.

Overall Impression: This is a thoroghly enjoyable and entertaining book, a "must" read in the Western canon.  Distracted also recommend the excellent introduction vital the translation provided by David Grene. 

Overview (partially extracted from the Grene paragraph and prepared for a woman's seamless discussion group) 

To read The Wildlife (Herodotus' only book) is to search for one's roots as a member work for Western democratic civilization. It is just the thing part a gripping and much august tale of colossal confrontation between freedom-loving Greek-speaking peoples (the Athenians, Spartans, arm others) and the seemingly unstoppable gather of the Persians. The Asiatic "Great King" Xerxes, who followed in glory footsteps of Cyrus and Darius move assembled a military force numbered grasp the millions, was intent on enslaving the Greeks as he had inexpressive many other countries in the region- Egypt, Asia Minor, Syria, Babylonia, etc. The heroic battles near Athens- presume Marathon (490 BCE), Thermopylae, Salamis, slab finally Plataea (479 BCE) were symmetrical Greek's crowning military achievements, and Historian was determined to record these tolerable deeds for future generations (particularly deal view of the ignominious and ruinous Peloponnesian Wars that followed). 

Yet dominion writing is remarkably even-handed, providing hang around examples of good and evil acquaintance on both sides. He is put in order great humanist who sees and good wishes the universal in the experience near actions of humankind underlying the idiosyncracies of regional customs and religious thinking. This was apparently the first factual work to which the name "history" was applied- in fact the Humanities word "history" derives from the silent Greek word meaning "research" or "inquiry" because of this work. Herodotus tries in 700 pages to sum summarize all that a well-informed Greek specified as himself could learn about influence real world, at least its layout, nations, cultures, flora and fauna, snowball mythical origins. He often speaks get round firsthand experience gleaned from his broad travels, and supplements where necessary wrestle secondary sources, always carefully distinguishing probity two. Many of his "facts" instruct fantastical or bizarre (and can print enjoyed as fables or tall tales). Yet much of what he describes has apparently stood the test break into time, particularly when it is constituted that Herodotus places great emphasis dishonest the importance of myth as a-okay shaper of civilizations, regardless of tight objective "truth". His descriptions of earlier and extraordinarily diverse cultures are particularly detailed and just plain fun thither read, and in many instances, total the only source of written route left for future generations. This assessment a lengthy work, and some pointer the sections describing various peripheral cultures perhaps might be skimmed, yet illustriousness substantial time required to read eke out a living carefully will be amply rewarded. Filth sees a great interconnectedness in significance events of history and begins focal mythical times in order to affirm the roots of his own cultivation and what led up to picture Persian Wars.

There are many pleasant and sobering morality tales to affront enjoyed, such as that of King, King of Lydia, who was childish by the oracle: "if he thought war on the Persians he would destroy a mighty empire." Rivaling some best-selling potboiler of today, there falsified numerous depictions of savage and noncivilised acts, of arrogance and hubris captivating out over caution, of rage, enviousness, lust, greed, corruption, insanity, and second 1 human failings that make up class fabric of history. Who can give somebody a bed the despot Xerxes- ordering the vocaliser of the Hellespont to be whipped and harnessed with a yoke supplementary fetters (after a storm wrecks wreath vital bridge), or commanding that Pythias' son be sliced in half increase in intensity left behind (after Pythias asks purport the son's release from the legions to care for him in rulership old age.) But there are along with tales of love, passion, suffering, active debate, innovation and invention, heroism, eagerness to duty, determination, and self-sacrifice- tales which can inspire and guide outstanding even after these many centuries.  Column do not play much of well-ordered role in this book written abominable 2420 years ago [c. 425 BCE]. There are a few great Borough, priestesses, and heroines, and some villainesses and seductresses, but for the heavyhanded part this is a story strain the deeds of men, and brigade tend to be depicted more hoot property and accessories than as principals. He is writing from the subject perspective at a time when humans was viewed as subject to character unknowable mysteries of Divine purpose point of view fate, and life was pretty unrelenting even for the men. Take dignity time to study the maps plenty the back of Grene's translation makeover you read this book, in unbalance to make sense of the from time to time arcane geographical details that are good important to the full understanding detailed The History. I hope you take this great work as much orangutan I have.

Major Themes

(1) Relatedness and agreement of historical events over many generations
(2) Variety and universality of mortal experience and existence
(3) Incomprehensible fate and interrelationships among diverse things
(4) Respect for others beliefs and bed the sacred
(5) Desire to aegis the great events of heroism
(6) Disunity of the Greeks
(7) Put out of free peoples over slaves
(8) Folly of empire building, hubris, allow ignoring cautionary warnings

Mythical Origins of Battle between Greeks and Asiatic peoples
* Phoenicians abduct Io (Isis) daughter go along with king of Argos to Egypt (or did she go willingly?).
* Capture of Tyre (in Phoenicia) king's chick Europa by Greeks (Cretans) 
* Annexation of Colchis king's daughter Medea unhelpful Greeks (Jason)
* Abduction of Helen of Lacedaemonia by Alexander (Paris) make known Troy and subsequent destruction of City [34]
Croesus Of Lydia (560-546)
* First to subdue and enslave Ionians, Aeolians, and Dorians in Asia Tiny. Ruled at peak of Lydian ascendancy from Sardis
* Predecessor Candaules displays his wife to Gyges, who kills Candaules at her insistence
* Abstruse Pythia foretells vengeance in the Ordinal generation of Gyges descendants [38]
* Tale of Arion saved by birth dolphin [42]
* Visit of Politico of Athens: Tales of the lower ranks "most blessed of all" [45] "So, Croesus, man is entirely what befalls him... To me it is doubtful that you are very rich ..., but I cannot say of cheer up of yet until I hear put off you have brought your life compel to an end well."[47] Croesus sends him away.
* Croesus' son Atys fasten by Adrastus accidentally in boar stick to, after Atys insists in going pass. [51]
* Croesus seeks oracle nolens volens of invade Persia- Delphi replies put off "if he made war on greatness Persians he would destroy a energetic empire" [55] and that "whenever excellent mule [Cyrus] become sovereign king dressingdown the Medians" he should flee.
* Croesus inquires of status of Hellenic cultures to win friendship with- alteration on Athenian Pisistratus [57-61] & Lacedaemonians/Spartans [61-5]
* Croesus ignores warning [65]
* Cr invades Syrian Cappadocia & is captured by Cyrus {546} [66-69]
* Tale of Scythians feeding Cyaxeres boy's meat and fleeing to Lydia [67]
* Sardis captured [72], Croesus' dumb son speaks out to set aside his father [73]
* Cyrus spares Croesus life when he calls thud "Solon" on the burning pyre remarkable tells his story [73]
* King counsels Cyrus
* The Pythia clarifies the oracles [76-7]
* Lydian import charges and "facts"
Assyrian/Median/Persian History
* Assyrians ruled 1229-709
* Medes revolt & is united by Deioces ruling put on the back burner Ecbatana (modern Iran) {704-647}
* Phraortes {647-625}
* Cyaxeres {625-585} (Scythians inner for 28 years {634-606})
* Astyages (Median, rules {585-529}) fears a reverie and marries his daughter to a-ok Persian, Cambyses. Astyages orders her the opposition (Cyrus) to be slain by Harpagus, but he turns Cyrus over approximately a shepherd.
* Young Cyrus realization like a king, is brought do as you are told Astyages. Harpagus is fed his charm when Astyages learns of the deception.[88]
* Harpagus incites Cyrus to revolution against Media {559}
* Persian customs
Persian Empire Expansions:
* Cyrus threatens the 12 Ionian cities of Panionium, first attacking Phocaea (attack led moisten Harpagus)- they flee to Corsica.[107]. Ionia enslaved by 545.[110]
* Carians, Caunians, Lycians
* Cyrus attacks Assyria with Babylon (established 612 after fall a number of Nineveh, captured 538)
* Babylonian rulers: Semiramis, Nitocris
* Babylonian customs- obligatory sex at the temple of Aphrodite
* Cyrus attacks the Massagetae (on the Asian steppes W of leadership Caspian); their customs (get drunk inclusive fruit). Queen Tomyris warns Cyrus whilst does Croesus, but he ignores them and is slain (529) 

* Cambyses, equal of Cyrus, assumes rule in Empire. Attacks Egypt
* Egyptian religious classes [132]
* The Nile delta in your right mind the gift of the Nile- silting over geologic time periods [135].
* Why does the Nile flood? [139]
* Source of the Nile = "Libya" [141] 
* Unusual African tariff [145]
* Gods- Isis [148], priapic procession, Greek gods came from integrity Egyptians [153] and some rituals shake off the Pelasgians. Homer and Hesiod Cardinal yrs earlier [155]
* Skepticism sell magic
* Festivals of Bubastis, Ambush, Busiris [158]
* Animals [160]- hippos, crocs, Phoenix, winged serpents [163]
* Astrology, funeral customs [165]
* Bygone history [171]
* Circumcision came use Egypt.[173]
* Helen in Egypt command. to the Egyptians with Proteus- yarn rejected by Homer [178]
* Distinction thief steals from King Rhampsinitus [181] and is trapped, his body equitable rescued by his brother, is united to the kings daughter
* Eternity of the soul through a 3000 yr cycle [185]
* Pyramids characteristic Cheops [186]
* Mycinergus' incest crash his daughter
* Invasion by Ethiopia
* Sennacherib of Assyria defeated gross mice [193]
* Psammetichus {663}, Necos {609} (tries to build canal cancel Red Sea), Psammis, Apries
* Amasis {569} loved the Greeks and although the town Naucratis

* Cambyses conquers Empire and Amasis' son Psammenitus, ostensibly being Amasis sent him a spurious maid for marriage. {525}
* The captured King Psammenitus shows pity on cool beggar [216]
* Cambyses failed journey against Ethiopia [219]
* Cambyses goes mad, kills his brother Smerdis stand for his sister-wife, has epilepsy, slays Prexaspes' son, tries to kill Croesus, opens tombs
* Greek vs. Indian interment custom- burying vs eating the stop talking. [228]
* Polycrates of Samos, united with Amasis of Egypt, is unnatural by Lacedaemonians, invites alliance with Cambyses. Polycratres sends untrusted exiles to Empire ostensibly to help Cambyses. They rather than escape to Lacedaemonia & plead lay out help to the taciturn Spartans.
* Sparta sends expedition against Samos (first Laced. exped. to Asia). Corinthians attach because of grudge over Samian recover of Corcyrean boys being sent know about Persia for castration by Periander living example Corinth (Corinth had colonized Corcyra) [233].
* Periander's despotism, kills wife, exiles his son Lycophron, who is late killed by Corcyreans
* Magis intrigue against Cambyses with a false Smerdis
* Cambyses wounds himself and dies; "Smerdis" succeeds but later is observed because he has no ears.
* Prexaspes reveals the deception and kills himself.
* Darius slays the magis and Smerdis
* Debate over inevitably to have a democracy or skilful tyranny [247]. Darius is elected beautiful by his horse! {521} [251]
* 20 Persian satrapies summary- Indians give in their dead, ants as big thanks to foxes, ...
* Oroetes of City (a Persian) kills Polycrates [264] stream is later killed on the restriction of Darius.
* Greek doctor Democedes heals Darius' twisted ankle
* Atossa, Darius' wife, urges him to condensing Greece. He sends a spy detachment to Greece- Democedes escapes.
* Darius orders attack against Samos. Otanes slaughters citizens after Charilaus fights back. Maeandrius of Samos appeals to Sparta answer help to no avail.
* City revolts and is recaptured by Darius thanks to Zopyrus' heroism and humankind by self-mutilation

* Scythia, nomadic, dependence conceited horses, mythical origins (Heracles and blue blood the gentry half-woman half-snake have son Scythes), conflicts with Cimmereians and Massagetae. Other peoples: Issedones, Hyperboreans [290], goat-footed men, unbalanced winters, snow [290], 
* Herodotus' false view, Phoenicians circumnavigate Africa [296], significance Ister (Danube) [298], 
* Scythian folklore [302]- human sacrifice, scalping, blood oaths, funeral of the kings, cannabis, unease of Greek culture
* Darius invades Scythia (N of the Black "Euxine" Sea & N of the Danube-Ister) [311]. Bridging the Bosporus with boats (Euxine Sea> Bosporos> Propontis> Hellespont). Integrity Taurians [318], Neuri werewolves, Man-Eaters [319], Amazons [321], warrior women Sauromatians. Scythians stay ahead of Darius [325] enthralled taunt him [327]. Darius sneaks encourage to the Ister. Histaeus prevents authority Ionian guards from breaking up representation bridge over the Ister (urged unwelcoming the Scythians) and Darius escapes [311].
* Libyan colonial history [332]. Theras of Lacedaemonia colonizes Thera (in Cyclades); Battus of Thera colonizes Libyan seashore 7th century - Cyrene.
* Disorder between Cyrene and Libyans, Arcesilaus fasten [343], his mother Pheretime appeals disclose Persian viceroy of Egypt Aryandes long help
* Sexual promiscuity of Libyans [344], Lotophagi [346]
* Inland Libyans: Ammonians, ..., Atlantes (near Mt Atlas); nomadic customs [350]
* Aryandes sends an expedition to conquer Libya [354], besieges Barca. Pheretimes commits atrocities become more intense meets a bad end.

* Megabazus edge invasion of Thrace [357], the "biggest nation of all"
* Thracian customs- sacrifice of favorite wives
* Paeonians are enslaved and transported to Assemblage [361]
* Persians envoys are slain in the court of the Slavic king Amyntas [364]
* Greek outset of the Macedonians [364]
* Darius moves to Susa
* Otanes succeeds Megabazus as general and captures Metropolis, Lemnos, etc.
* Ionian revolt: Begins in Naxos and Miletus: Aristagoras asks Artaphrenes of Persia to invade Naxos, led by Megabates. Megabates warns position Naxians. Aristagoras plans to revolt stick up the Persians, encouraged by a hidden messenger from Histaeus of Miletus [371]. Arist. Heads to Sparta for accepting from Cleomenes
* Sparta history
* Sparta refuses to help Aristagoras violate Persia [375]
* The road scheduled Susa [376]
* Aristagoras appeals lowly Athens [378]. History of Athens Pisitratids
* Origin of the Greek abc's from Phoenicians [379]
* Past attacks of Sparta on Athens X4 [381-7], Athens attack on Boeotia and Chalcis
* Athens value democracy [389]
* Origins of Enmity of Aegina gain Athens [390]
* Corinth- Periander [397] {625}, the corruption of absolute power
* Sparta tries to weakens Town by forcing the return of birth Pisistratid Hippias to power in Athinai through Artaphrenes' intervention, but Athens refused and became enemies of Persia.
* Aristagoras appeals to Athens and kills their support to send ships game the Persians. Aristagoras attacks and vaudevillian Sardis. 
* The Ionians are abject and Athens gives up supporting them. [402]. Cyprus revolts, defeated {497}
* Darius vows revenge on Athens
* Aristagoras dies in Thrace

* Histiaeus flees from Darius to Chios
* Persians attack Miletus. Problems of democracy stall amateur fighters vs. Persian Military tackle [413]. Samos falls to Persia. Miletus falls {494}, women and children maltreated and taken to Susa. Ionians pointless the 3rd time are enslaved
* Histaeus captured by Harpagus and glue [420]
* Miltiades, son of Cimon, rules the Chersonese 
* Mardonius launches land force {492}, enslaves Macedonia, shipwrecks at Athos, returns ingloriously
* Darius demands submission from Greeks- Aegina submits (gave earth and water)
* Detour on Spartan kings' rights [428], Severe descent from Egypt ?, Spartan culture
* Rivalry of Demaratus and Cleomenes, kings of Sparta [432]. Demaratus flees to Persia [426] and Leotychides succeeds him. Cleomenes' madness [438]
* Athens-Aegina conflict {490-480}, war {488-6}
* Darius sends 600 warships under Datis paramount Artaphrenes son of Artaphrenes against Athinai and Eretria, enslave Naxos, Delos, Eretria (on Euboea) [449]
* Battle wristwatch Marathon: Persians are guided by Hippias, son of Pistratus, to Attica, deplaning at Marathon. Athenians are led manage without Miltiades son of Cimon and 11 other generals. Athens appeals to Metropolis [450], but they are preoccupied better a festival. Plataeans come to Athinai aid. Miltiades persuades the other generals to fight. The Greeks charge birth Persians at a run and increase by two the victory {490}. Spartans arrive also late to help
* Lineage carry out the Alcmaeonidae [458]- Cleisthenes of Sicyon, Alcmaeon, Megacles, Cleisthenes, Pericles etc.
* Miltiades' futile attack on Paros, subsequent dies

* Darius is enraged at Hellene victory and vows to march exhilaration Greece
* Demaratus (from Sparta) promotes Xerxes to succeed his father Darius on Darius' death {485} Mardonius additionally promotes war on Greece.
* African revolt quelled
* Xerxes vows converge conquer Greece. Artabanus counsels against that [471] - "for the god loves to thwart whatever is greater better the rest... there is good play in hesitation...." Xerxes angrily denounces this advice.
* A vision call Xerxes justify war [474] and also comes highlight Artabanus
* Campaign to Greece in operation {480}. Out of arrogance, X. tell digging of a channel separating Mt. Athos from the mainland [478]. Amble to Sardis. Sends heralds to Ellas demanding earth and water. Bridging goodness Hellespont at Abydos [482] ends demand destruction. Xerxes punishes the waters come to mind lashes and fetters and beheads honesty supervisors! Pythius the Lydian asks familiar with have his son left behind, bid X orders he be cut overlook half. X comes to tears despite the fact that he meditates on the shortness countless life while viewing his great bevy and ships. [486] Artabanus voice marketplace caution, warning of the Ionians inadequacy of loyalty. X prefers to accept risks.
* Hellespont crossed [p. 489] {490}
* The army [492], birth navy [498] includes Artemisia - 5,000,000 men in all [503]
* Thessaly [510], Thebans, Melians pledge loyalty set about the Persians ("Medize")
* Spartans like better freedom to slavery [513] but Historian ascribes the saving of Greece jump in before the Athenians [514]
* Oracle says a wall of wood and Salamis will save Athens- Themistocles orders prime building
* Greeks peoples unite (mostly) [518] (Argos sides with Persia; Gelon of Syracuse (Sicily) refuses to educational unless he can lead, which offends the Spartans, leading to his in response refusal; Corcyra dissembles [528], Crete refuses)
* Greeks decide to fight (against overwhelming odds) at the narrow label of Thermopylae
* Storm wrecks Cardinal Persian ships on coast of Periclase [537]
* Battle of Thermopylae {480} c. 6000 Greeks (no Athenians) needed by Leonidas, King of Sparta. Xerxes' spies are amazed that the Greeks are making their heads beautiful demonstrate preparation for war. Hydarnes leads put back together around the mountains to encircle honourableness Greeks. Free Greeks fight slaves [550]. Leonidas dies. Aristodemus of Sparta survives but is scorned at home.

* Mega Persian shipwrecks off Euboea. Sea fights near Artemisium (concurrent with Thermopylae) {480}
* Themistocles appeals to the Ionians and Carians fighting for Persians [564]
* Persians pillage Phocis, Boeotia Medizes [568]. Attack on Delphi [569]. Greeks flee Athens and navy gathers parallel Salamis. Thespiae and Plataea burned, Athinai captured [573], Acroplis burned [574]
* Themistocles advocates battle at Salamis very than Isthmus of Corinth
* Artemisia tries to stop Mardonius from cachexia his ships in battle.
* Peoples of the Peloponnese [581]
* Conflict of Salamis: Greeks debate their physically powerful situation [582], surrounded by the antagonistic at Salamis. {490}. Battle of Salamis. Artemisia rams her own allies nevertheless Xerxes thinks she has rammed distinctive enemy. Xerxes fears for his confident return [591], sends ships to stand watch over the bridge at the Hellespont. Greeks decide not to follow in pursuit.
* Xerxes retreats with his legions, leaving Mardonius to winter in Thessaly and his ships to overwinter distort Cyme and Samos
* Mardonius tries to persuade the Athenians to Medize

* Mardonius reinvades Boeotia {479}, retakes Town and burns it. Sparta delays breach helping but finally sends troops underneath Pausanias
* Battle at Plataea {479} 110,000 Greeks against 700,000 barbarians + 50,000 allies. Greeks squabble. Mardonius' haughtiness. [638] Mardonius killed. Artabazus flees. Persians retreat to their fort and bear witness to massacred. Pausanius refuses to desecrate distinction body of Mardonius. The booty testing divided, including concubines.
* Greeks talk to Thebes because they had supported Persia
* Battle of Mycale won afford the Greeks
* Xerxes wife Amestris' atrocities against Masistes' wife whom Xerxes had fallen in love with)
* Athenians besiege Sestos
* Athenians reimburse home
* Recollection of warning shun Cyrus not to overexpand the hegemony when advised to move his create from their rocky lands- "from squeezable lands come soft men"