Nov 30, 2017 the british title for this book, the year of thermopylae london, 1980, is much more descriptive since the book covers events leading up to and including thermopylae. Greek researcher, often called the worlds first historian. In fact, herodotus account of the battle, in book vii of his histories, is such an important source that paul cartledge wrote. The history of herodotus by herodotus written 440 b.
Herodotus the histories, book 7, polymnia 8239 battle of. King xerxes lay encamped in trachis in malis and the hellenes in the pass. The decision is taken to guard the pass of thermopylae instead 175. Greek text with facing vocabulary and commentary under a creative commons license. The spartans had killed some envoys from xerxes who were offering a peaceful invasion. Nov 19, 2014 a highpoint in herodotus histories, the subject of this book is the inexorable march of the persian forces against greece, which culminates in the famous battle at thermopylae. The battle at thermopylae first, a word about the badasses from sparta and athens. 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. Gates of fire, by stephen pressfield, has the battle of thermopylae book vii as its centrepiece. Dec 15, 2003 the greeks took up their defensive positions at the pass of thermopylae and cape artemisium 7. How herodotus might have come to know about the battle of. These have appeared in a range of media from plain text to historical fantasy. 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.
Creation, by gore vidal, interpreting many scenes from the persian viewpoint. Here we get the most bodacious recount of the battle of thermopylae and the noble 300 spartans who. The quarrel over succession by two of darius sons, artabazanes and xerxes 2. Find a summary of this and each chapter of histories. For while thou revilest the greeks, thou dost encourage the king to lead his own troops against them. Jun 22, 2016 book seven of the histories of herodotus. Thermopylae was a very narrow pass that would prevent the persians from using their cavalry in battle. 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. Sep 03, 2019 i really enjoyed this book because it is the first book of history ever written by man. Histories book 7 the battle of thermopylae summary. Book 7, the battle of thermopylae summary course hero. The battle, which took place over three days and occurred simultaneously with the naval battle at artemisium, was fought for control of a pass that provided access to the sea. Herodotus on thermopylae, with chris carey youtube.
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. The biblical writers borrowed from it to create characters such as the judges samson. Herodotus book also contains ethnographic descriptions of the peoples. On the beach at euboea, themistocles plans to split the ionian greeks and carians from the persian coalition 19. This place is called thermopylae by most of the hellenes, but by the natives and. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. His goal no longer is the punishment of athens, but the subjugation of europe. Some submitted to persia thinking they wouldnt get hurt. Herodotus the great greek historian was born about 484 bce, at halicarnassus in caria, asia minor, when it was subject to the persians. Herodotus the histories, book 7, polymnia 8239 battle of thermopylae this expedition against athens threatened all of greece.
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. So far xerxes fleet had not suffered any military losses 7. Herodotus and the 300 at thermopylae 221 is on the march, which likewise lists a great number of peoples, but also includes some description of the peoples themselves, especially the armament they carry. News of the defeat at thermopylae reaches the greek fleet, which heads south 21. The greek army at thermopylae is very small compared to the over five million herodotus counts among the persians. Named polymnia after the greek muse of sacred poetry. This place is called thermopylae by most of the hellenes, but by the natives and their. 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. Histories book 7 the battle of thermopylae summary course hero. Pharaoh, by boleslaw prus, incorporating the labyrinth scenes inspired by herodotus description in book ii of the histories. 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 main source for the battle of 480 is herodotus, histories. This place is called thermopylae by most of the hellenes, but by the natives and their neighbors pylae.
A military historian, bradford makes sense of the complicated maneuvers and does a very thorough background on all components of the battle, from the three rows of trireme rowers to an analysis of the less than treachery of. The internet classics archive the history of herodotus. Mar 15, 2019 herodotus the histories, book 7, polymnia 8239 battle of thermopylae. The battle of thermopylae from herodotus the histories. In the histories, he describes the expansion of the achaemenid empire under its kings cyrus the great, cambyses, and darius i the great, culminating in xerxes expedition to greece 480 bce, which met with disaster in the naval engagement at salamis and the battles at plataea and mycale. Prior to that were the illiad and the oddyse by homer during the 700s b.
Herodotus book 7 commentary beta edition 14 mb pdf aug 2012 rightclick on pc, ctrlclick on mac for option to download directly this link contains a free pdf copy of an unrevised draft of herodotus histories book 7. Here we get the most bodacious recount of the battle of thermopylae and the noble 300 spartans who fought and died alongside leonidas at the. While they all knew it was coming, they didnt see it in the same way. The internet classics archive the history of herodotus by.
The history of herodotus, parallel englishgreek, tr. Summary of and commentary on herodotus histories, book 7, 2015 your bibliography. Herodotus excerpts from book vii of the histories translated. Polymnia 1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 140 150 160 170 180. However it is reported also that leonidas himself sent them away, having a care that they might not perish, but thinking that it was not seemly for himself and for the spartans who were present to leave the post to which they had come at first to keep guard there. This provided herodotus with an occasion to once more take stock of the persian forces 7. This expedition against athens threatened all of greece. The battle of thermopylae from herodotus the histories essay. Having stated this at the beginning of the twentysecond logos, herodotus feels compelled to express an opinion which he knows to be unpopular. Herodotus 7 beta greek and latin texts with facing. Herodotus excerpts from book vii of the histories translated and edited by a. Summary of and commentary on herodotus histories, book 7.
Quite a few comments have been posted about the history of herodotus. Nominally, xerxes expedition was directed against athens, but its real objective was the conquest of the whole of greece. He travelled widely in most of asia minor, egypt as far as assuan, north africa, syria, the country north of the black sea, and many parts of the aegean sea and the mainland of greece. Chapter summary for herodotuss histories, book 7 the battle of thermopylae summary. At the core are 300 spartans, accompanied by contingents from corinth, thespia, and thebes, among others. Herodotus excerpts from book vii of the histories translated and. Xerxes according to herodotus encyclopaedia iranica. What this book does is that it goes deeper into the events and cultural factors that built up to thermopylae and the role of that battle in the wider struggle between east and west at that point in history. Herodotus the histories, book 7, polymnia 8239 battle of thermopylae. We would like to show you a description here but the site wont allow us. In book 7 chapter 210 of the histories, the ancient greek historian herodotus describes the battle of thermopylae. Herodotus, the histories, book 1, chapter 1, section 0. Herodotus s depiction of the battle of thermopylae 1278 words 6 pages.
Xerxes addresses the council of persian leaders, and states his reasons for invading greece. The history of herodotus, parallel englishgreek index. Herodotus notes that while xerxes ostensibly meant to punish athens, his real intent was. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. On the battle of thermopylae itself, two principal sources, herodotus and simonides accounts, survive. The army is led by leonidas, a descendant of the mythical hero heracles. To the rest of the peloponnesians then it seemed best that they should go to the peloponnese and hold the isthmus in guard. A prize is offered to the general who produces the best troops 8. This 147page guide for histories by herodotus includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 9 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis.
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