Herodotus of Halicarnassus represents his work Histories not as the history in the understanding of a modern reader, pure historical facts and events, but as a rich collection of vivid narratives and description about wars between Greeks and barbarians so that inspiring stories would not be forgotten in the days of yore. The name of this book, The Histories, derives from Greek word, hisroiē, meaning investigation and inquiry. For Herodotus, he investigates many local oral stories and tales from various regions and complies them into The Histories. Despite the fact that there is much skepticism towards the credibility of this book, not only is The Histories an invaluable masterpiece depicting epic wars and splendid human achievements, but also
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First of all, after dismissing the early accounts of Greek-Persian conflicts, Herodotus claims, “He (i.e. Croesus of Lydia) was the first foreigner so far we know to come into direct contact with the Greeks, both in the way of conquest and alliance.” (Herodotus, I.6) Furthermore, Croesus the king of Lydia is regarded by Herodotus as “first injured the Greeks” because “before Croesus’ time all the Greek had been free”. (Herodotus, I.6) Apparently, Herodotus chooses to believe that the Lydian is the first barbarian who interacts with Greeks. His contemporary audience, Greek public, acquires almost knowledge about barbarians through oral poetries and songs, which are various, mostly inaccurate and incomplete. Herodotus’ integrated investigation based on different versions of local poetries and songs could offer Greeks a better overall understanding about Barbarians and their culture. Therefore, it is reasonable and comfortable for him to officially start his book with a tale about Lydian, the first barbarian the Greeks meet, because with chorological order Herodotus can fulfill better one of the purposes he writes The Histories, which is to systematically and didactically inform and educate Greek people about Barbarian people, their achievement and Greeks’ interactions with them, either alliance or
First of all, after dismissing the early accounts of Greek-Persian conflicts, Herodotus claims, “He (i.e. Croesus of Lydia) was the first foreigner so far we know to come into direct contact with the Greeks, both in the way of conquest and alliance.” (Herodotus, I.6) Furthermore, Croesus the king of Lydia is regarded by Herodotus as “first injured the Greeks” because “before Croesus’ time all the Greek had been free”. (Herodotus, I.6) Apparently, Herodotus chooses to believe that the Lydian is the first barbarian who interacts with Greeks. His contemporary audience, Greek public, acquires almost knowledge about barbarians through oral poetries and songs, which are various, mostly inaccurate and incomplete. Herodotus’ integrated investigation based on different versions of local poetries and songs could offer Greeks a better overall understanding about Barbarians and their culture. Therefore, it is reasonable and comfortable for him to officially start his book with a tale about Lydian, the first barbarian the Greeks meet, because with chorological order Herodotus can fulfill better one of the purposes he writes The Histories, which is to systematically and didactically inform and educate Greek people about Barbarian people, their achievement and Greeks’ interactions with them, either alliance or