'The first example of non-fiction, the text that underlies the entire discipline of history ... it is above all a treasure trove' Tom Holland

One of the masterpieces of classical literature, The Histories describes how a small and quarrelsome band of Greek city states united to repel the might of the Persian empire. But while this epic struggle forms the core of his work, Herodotus' natural curiosity frequently gives rise to colourful digressions - a description of the natural wonders of Egypt; tales of lake-dwellers, dog-headed men and gold-digging ants. With its kaleidoscopic blend of fact and legend, The Histories offers a compelling Greek view of the world in the fifth century BC, in Aubrey de Selincourt's elegant and celebrated translation.

Translated by AUBREY DE SELINCOURT
Revised with an Introduction and notes by JOHN MARINCOLA

About the Author
Few facts are known about the life of Herodotus. He was born around 490 BC in Halicarnassus, on the south-west coast of Asia Minor. He seems to have travelled widely throughout the Mediterranean world, including Egypt, Africa, the area around the Black Sea and throughout many Greek city-states, of both the mainland and the islands. A sojourn in Athens is part of the traditional biography, and there he is said to have given public readings of his work and been friends with the playwright Sophocles. He is said also to have taken part in the founding of the colony of Thurii in Italy in 443 BC. He probably died at some time between 425 and 420 BC. His reputation has varied greatly, but for the ancients and many moderns he well deserves the title (first given to him by Cicero) of 'the Father of History'.

Reviews
"De Selincourt's pacy, natural-sounding, rendering, as superbly revised and annotated by John Marincola...was a game-changer...still reads freshly and is a bestseller six decades after its first publication."
--Edith Hall, Times Literary Supplement



Book Information
ISBN 9780140449082
Author Herodotus
Format Paperback
Page Count 784
Imprint Penguin Classics
Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 532g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 33mm