Histories (Unabridged‪)‬

When it comes to classic literature, Histories by Herodotus is one of the masterpieces. In this classic, Herodotus tells of how a group of Greek states banded together to defeat the mighty Persian Empire. Throughout the story, Herodotus includes colorful descriptions of Egypt, as well as tales of lake dwellers in Europe and even a dog that can heal the ill and ants that dig gold from the earth. Although the line between fact and legend is blurred in this account, Herodotus does provide some interesting insight into the way ancient Greeks viewed the world around them.

Born in Halicarnassus in about the fifth century, Herodotus is known as the father of history. He was the first person known to collect and record history in a systematic way. Although there are questions as to the accuracy of his histories, Herodotus’s accounts do provide snapshots of that time period in history.