Customer Reviews

The Histories

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My two students, thirteen and twelve, are reading through this translation. I am too. It is a very readable, understandable translation.

Sélincourt's translation is very clear, "Herodotus of Halicarnassus here displays his inquiry, so that human achievements may not become forgotten in time, and great and marvellous deeds- some displayed by Greeks, some be barbarians- may not be without their glory; especially to show why the two peoples fought with each other."

Herodotus gives us a fascinating look at the time around 650 B.C. -479 B.C. The details are extensive and mind boggling so thankfully at the back of this edition is a structural outline to help the reader follow the thread of Herodotus' narrative. He begins with the quarrel between the Greeks and barbarians. He tells of his opinion concerning Helen of Troy. Was she a willing captive? Was she really present during the Trojan Was in Troy?

Having already read Iliad and the Odyssey, Herodotus' explanation of 'xenia' and the great sin Paris committed in making off with the wife of his host as so absolutely heinous in that culture rang true.

The heartless barbarism of most of the kings is sickeningly fascinating.

I would recommend Elizabeth Vandiver's lectures from the teaching company on Herodotus and also the text book Omnibus I by Douglas Wilson and G. Tyler Fischer as great sources for teaching this great book.