And thou, mardonius, son of gobryas, forbear to speak foolishly concerning the greeks, who are men that ought not to be lightly esteemed by us. He and the poet simonides are, according to professor paul cartledge, the principal contemporary greek written source for thermopylae. Herodotus excerpts from book vii of the histories translated. The main source for the battle of 480 is herodotus, histories. The battle of thermopylae from herodotus the histories. Ramsey parra llrn 151 01 300 scholars, artists, authors, and filmmakers in recent years have been interested in herodotuss depiction of the battle of thermopylae, creating several different versions and interpretations of the story across multiple forms of media. Here we get the most bodacious recount of the battle of thermopylae and the noble 300. The quarrel over succession by two of darius sons, artabazanes and xerxes 2. This is the book to read if you are interested in thermopylae. Talthybios 1 darius xerxes precursor once sent men to demand submission from the athenians and spartans but they killed his men. On the beach at euboea, themistocles plans to split the ionian greeks and carians from the persian coalition 19. Here we get the most bodacious recount of the battle of thermopylae and the noble 300 spartans who. The internet classics archive the history of herodotus by. How herodotus might have come to know about the battle of.
Thoughts on book seven of the histories of herodotus first. It took place simultaneously with the naval battle at artemisium, in august or september 480 bc, at the pass of thermopylae the hot gates. Call us usacanada 011 30 europe00 30 australia 0011 30mobile. This book also includes several chapters on the greek response to thermopylae in the aftermath of the battle. Herodotus excerpts from book vii of the histories translated and edited by a. Explore the site of a battle at thermopylae, described by herodotus, and the subject of two 21st century movies. Being a hero in the histories of herodotus 1661 words 123.
Mar 15, 2019 herodotus the histories, book 7, polymnia 8239 battle of thermopylae. Unfortunately, if there where any persian records on thermopylae, none have survived to the present or been found. Xerxes was a long way from home, with impossibly long supply lines. The greek forces at thermopylae, when the persian army drew near to the entrance of the pass, were seized with fear. Thermopylae battle 480 bc herodotus history greece. On the battles of thermopylae and salamis on thermopylae. An impressively accessible narrative depicting the threeday battle for the pass at thermopylae the hot gatesa critical contest in xerxess massive invasion of greece. The internet classics archive the history of herodotus. These straits the greeks in general call thermopylae the hot gates. At this he shrieked, and, leaping from his couch, hurried to xerxes, and, sitting down at his side, gave him a full account of the vision. Xerxes according to herodotus encyclopaedia iranica.
Herodotus s depiction of the battle of thermopylae 1278 words 6 pages. Thus spake the the oracle at delphi, long ago, as recorded by herodotus, the father of history, in book 7 of the histories. News of the defeat at thermopylae reaches the greek fleet, which heads south 21. For the first four days, at thermopylae, xerxes waited.
Herodotus the histories, book 7, polymnia 8239 battle of thermopylae. Herodotus the histories, book 7, polymnia 8239 battle of. The greeks took up their defensive positions at the pass of thermopylae and cape artemisium 7. Spartas last stance is one of the most important battles during the persian war and one of the great mysteries of ancient history. Summary of and commentary on herodotus histories, book 7, 2015 your bibliography. Ramsey parra llrn 151 01 300 scholars, artists, authors, and filmmakers in recent years have been interested in herodotus s depiction of the battle of thermopylae, creating several different versions and interpretations of the story across multiple forms of media. This place is called thermopylae by most of the hellenes, but by the natives and.
Apr 08, 2019 the battle thermopylae 480 bc herodotus histories. Jun 22, 2016 book seven of the histories of herodotus. Thermopylae battle 480 bc herodotus history greece private. This place is called thermopylae by most of the hellenes, but by the natives and their neighbors pylae. While they all knew it was coming, they didnt see it in the same way. Herodotus magnificent writing have vividly explained one of the most exceptional battles, in addition to showing the world the incredible greek society, and the ever so. The extent of the greeks geographical knowledge of the world can be reconstructed from considering regions and places mentioned by contemporary authors. His book about the wars between the persians and the greek city states was a collection of his historiahis inquirieswhich is where we get the very word history from yet he is also known to some as the father of lies. In the seventh book of his histories, herodotus offers a description of the topography of the battlefield of thermopylae. Some submitted to persia thinking they wouldnt get hurt. Being a hero in the histories of herodotus 1661 words. This expedition against athens threatened all of greece. In any case, it is doubtful whether any fifthcentury historical writer either published before herodotus or gave a detailed narrative of the persian wars.
When the medes were being roughly handled, they were retreating, and the persians, whom the king was calling immortals, having shown themselves forth, were advancing, of. Herodotus reports that the phocians had improved the defences of the pass by channelling the stream from the hot springs to create a marsh, and it. Thoughts on book seven of the histories of herodotus. Such accordingly were the intentions of the allies. The battle of thermopylae from herodotus the histories essay. King xerxes lay encamped in trachis in malis and the hellenes in the pass. During his description of the facts that took place during the war between persians and greeks, herodotus presents the qualities and attributes which, for his understanding, make a real hero. Sparta was a military citystate with two kings that claimed to be the descendent of the demigod hercules. In their excellent recent scholarly commentary on herodotus book 9 flower and marincola eds 2002 deal fully with his account of plataea, which sealed the greeks victory over the invading persians. Understand how the geography of the area has changed, and consider how the retelling of stories leads to the writing of history. It was fought between an alliance of greek citystates, led by sparta, and the persian empire of xerxes i. So far xerxes fleet had not suffered any military losses 7.
The battle of thermopylae was fought between an alliance of greek citystates, led by king. The bloody stand made there by leonidas and his small spartan army in 480 b. This was the prophecy that was given prior to the greek stand at thermopylae in which 300 spartans and 700 men of thespiae made one of the most heroic stands in the history of the world. This provided herodotus with an occasion to once more take stock of the persian forces 7. Histories of herodotus a history source of persian empire of achaemenian era. In fact, herodotus account of the battle, in book vii of his histories, is such an important source that paul cartledge wrote. The only thessalian river which proved insufficient for the armys needs. Named polymnia after the greek muse of sacred poetry.
Langel took place over three days during the second persian invasion of greece. Thermopylae battle 480 bc herodotus history thermopylae battle tour, visit the battle fields, king leonidas monument, kolonos hill, interactive museum. Indeed, the histories book 7 reveals herodotus astonishing and unique view of heroism. I pass over all the other officers, because there is no need for me to mention them, except for. For against the persian loss in the storm and at thermopylae, and again in the seafights off artemisium, i set the various nations which had since joined the king as the malians, the dorians, the locrians, and the boeotians each serving in full force in his army except the last, who did not number in their ranks either the thespians or the. The hot gates is the place of hot springs and in greek. His goal no longer is the punishment of athens, but the subjugation of europe. I am bound to tell what i am told, but not in every case to believe it. His book the histories evidences all the distinctive features that he employs through his description of facts as well as the intrinsic analysis that he includes to his storyline about controversial topics like the definition of what heroes really are. In fact, herodotus account of the battle, in book vii of his histories, is such an. So much concerning the truth of the supposed battle of thermopylae rests with herodotus, whose histories are thought to come closest of all to being a primary source for the account. The history of herodotus by herodotus, part of the internet classics archive. The main source for the battle of 480 is herodotus, histories, 7. In reality, the road is essentially from the west to the east, as you can see on the satellite photo above, but herodotus presents it as if it is from the north to the south.
Dec 15, 2003 the greeks took up their defensive positions at the pass of thermopylae and cape artemisium 7. Summary of and commentary on herodotus histories, book 7. Thermopylae is primarily known for the battle that took place there in 480 bc, in which an outnumbered greek force probably of seven thousand including the famous 300 spartans, 500 warriors from tegea, 500 from mantinea, 120 from arcadian orchomenos, from the rest of arcadia, 200 from phlius, 80 from mycenae, 400 corinthians, 400 thebans, phocians and the opuntian locrians held off. The interpretation poses no problems, but there is one oddity. By and large, the battle of thermopylae from herodotus the histories was an extremely notable and remarkable battle for the history of the west, as well as the world. These have appeared in a range of media from plain text to historical fantasy. Then, hearing that the persian was in pieria, they broke up from the isthmus and set out with their army to thermopylae and their fleet to. Herodotus was a greek writer and geographer credited with being the first historian. Not so hot gates of thermopylae a historical commentary.
The main event of book seven, of course, is the battle of thermopylae, during which an elite force of 300 spartans, accompanied by thespians fighting voluntarily and thebans fighting involuntarily, hold off the mighty persian army at a narrow coastal pass just south of thessaly on the greek mainland. He is known for having written the book the histories greek. The greeks occupied the straits, called thermopylae, hot gates. A commentary of similar quality on book 7, the thermopylae book, would be well received. On the battle of thermopylae itself, two principal sources, herodotus and simonides accounts, survive. Thermopylae means the hot gates, from the warm springs there. This chapter outlines the epic backdrop to the battle of thermopylae, and includes a catalogue of epic echoes throughout herodotus book 7 as well as a detailed discussion of herodotus battle narrative. Fowler, herodotus and his contemporaries, jhs 116 1996, 6287, who maintains, against jacoby, that some of the socalled local historians were known to herodotus. Sparta was a military citystate with two kings that.
The battle of thermopylae the greek historian herodotus ca. Simonides, ephorus, and herodotus on the battle of thermopylae. Thermopylae and the book of esther associates for biblical. What does herodotus say is the total number of soldiers and servants in xerxes army.
Sincerely, andre herodotus book six discussion questions 1. If you want to get this one book on thermopylae, make it this one. The decision is taken to guard the pass of thermopylae instead 175. For while thou revilest the greeks, thou dost encourage the king to lead his own troops against them. Commentary on herodotus, histories, book 7, chapter 228.
This covers the battle in much greater detail than paul cartledges book. The opinion which prevailed was that they should guard the pass of thermopylae. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. At this he shrieked, and, leaping from his couch, hurried to xerxes, and.
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