Herodotus is considered the 'father of history' and wrote the oldest surviving prose work of Europe. This study book deals with his historia, in which he examines the wars between the Greek city-states and the Persian empire. In addition to the famous battles of Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis, and Plataea—already known in his time as crucial confrontations—Herodotus also explores the mythology, history, and culture of Mediterranean peoples whom he himself traveled to.
The core of his work is the description of Xerxes’ failed invasion of Greece (books 7–9). In it, the Greek states present a united front against the numerically stronger Persian armies and achieve an important victory.
Herodotus combines factual reporting with compelling, short stories and anecdotes, making his work appealing to students and enthusiasts of Greek history to this day.