"Herodotus was a Greek historian living in Ionia during the fifth century B.C.E. He traveled extensively through the lands of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea and collected stories, and then recounted his experiences with the varied people and cultures he encountered. Cicero called him "the father of history," and his only work, The Histories, is considered the first true piece of historical writing in Western literature. With lucid prose that harks back to the time of oral tradition, Herodotus set a standard for narrative nonfiction that continues to this day." "In The Histories, Herodotus chronicles the rise of the Persian Empire and its dramatic war with the Greek city-states. Within that story he includes rich veins of anthropology, ethnography, geology, and geography, pioneering these fields of study, and explores such universal themes as the nature of freedom, the role of religion, the human costs of war, and the dangers of absolute power." "Ten years in the making, The Landmark Herodotus gives us a new translation by Andrea L. Purvis that makes this work of literature more accessible than ever before. Illustrated, annotated, and filled with maps, this edition also includes an introduction by Rosalind Thomas and twenty-one appendices written by scholars at the top of their fields, covering such topics as Athenian government, Egypt, Scythia, Persian arms and tactics, the Spartan state, oracles, religion, tyranny, and women."--Jacket

Introduction / Rosalind Thomas -- Book One: -- Proem: Herodotus identifies himself, describes his subject, and states his purpose in writing the Histories -- Histories begin: Croesus of Lydia -- Croesus' reign: conquers Greeks in Asia; defeated by Cyrus -- The life story of Cyrus -- Book Two: Egyptian customs and society -- History of Egypt: Min to Sethos -- Book Three: Cambyses' reign, conquest of Egypt -- Spartans make war on Polykrates of Samos -- Magi Revolt, Smerdis' reign, Darius' accession -- Reign of Darius, description of his realm -- Book Four: Description of Scythia and Scythians -- Darius' expedition to Scythia -- Libya and the Persians -- Book Five: Darius' European Campaign: Hellespont, Thrace -- The Ionian Revolt -- Book Six: Kleomenes King of Sparta, Aegina, Athens -- Marathon Campaign -- Book Seven: Xerxes' preparations and march to Greece -- Maneuvers in the North: Battle of Thermopylae -- Book Eight: Naval battles off Artemision -- Battle of Salamis -- Book Nine: Battle of Plataea -- Battle of Mycale -- Appendix A: The Athenian government in Herodotus / Peter Krentz -- Appendix B: The Spartan state in war and peaace / Paul Cartledge -- Appendix C: The account of Egypt: Herodotus right and wrong / Alan B. Lloyd -- Appendix D: Herodotean geography / James Romm -- Appendix E: Herodotus and the Black Sea Region / Everett L. Wheeler -- Appendix F: Rivers and peoples of Scythia / Everett L. Wheeler -- Appendix G: The continuity of Steppe culture -- Appendix H: The Ionian Revolt / George L. Cawkwell -- Appendix I: Classical Greek religious festivals -- Appendix J: Ancient Greek units of currency, weight, and distance / Thomas R. Martin -- Appendix K: Dialect and ethnic groups in Herodotus / William F. Wyatt -- Appendix L: Aristocratic families in Herodotus -- Appendix M: Herodotus on Persia and the Persian Empire / Christopher Tuplin -- Appendix N: Hoplite warfare in Herodotus / J. W. I. Lee -- Appendix O: The Persian army in Herodotus / J. W. I. Lee -- Appendix P: Oracles, religion, and politics in Herodotus / Donald Lateiner -- Appendix Q: Herodotus and the poets / Andrew Ford -- Appendix R: The size of Xerxes' expeditionary force / Michael A. Flower -- Appendix S: Trieme warfare in Herodotus / Nicolle Hirschfeld -- Appendix T: Tyranny in Herodotus / Carolyn Dewald -- Appendix U: On women and marriage in Herodotus / Carolyn Dewald.