Stephanie Whitehead – Herodotus

As a classics major I have read many classical authors including Herodotus the “Father of History.” He was given this title because he was the first to write a documentation of history (the Persian War in particular). The manner in which he detailed and elaborated on the histories of his life was to tell stories. This speaks very clearly to his oral culture in which he grew up. One such story that stands out is how the Persians chose their method of governing. There were three men who offered three suggestions, oligarchy, democracy, and monarchy. The three put forth their ideas and defended them before the rest of their peers and the latter won, this being the choice that Darius put forth. So then everyone had to decide on a king and they decided to have a contest. He tells of how Darius rigged the competition so that he won. This not only explained the kind of government that the Persians had and the “origin” but also gave a look at the personality that Darius was believed to have. There are many such anecdotes through out his novel. This is the manner in which he tells the history of the Persian War. Many, especially Thucydides who wrote after him, say this is a bad way because he has no proof and it is not largely honest and factual.