Herodotus and the Greco-Persian Wars: First Invasion

Herodotus was called by Cicero “the father of history” and it is indeed with him that the European tradition of historiography begins. In these chapters of his Histories, he narrates one of the epochal events of human history – the beginning of the Greco-Persian wars.    The Greek civilization that laid the foundations of Western civilization in philosophy, art, science, and politics, was then a collection of fractious city-states on a small peninsula. Against it descended the might of the Persian Empire which extended from Egypt to India under the rule of King of Kings. Was ever more at stake? In these lectures, we follow Herodotus as our guide looking at these two great civilizations whose destiny was to clash. We will examine the grand personages like Solon, Cyrus the Great, Darius, and Miltiades, and great events like the emergence of the Persian Empire, the rise of democracy in Athens, and epic battles like Marathon. We will explore also the enduring lessons that are provided by these great events about statesmanship, strategy, and the dangers of hubris.  The British Victorian philosopher John Stuart Mill said “•“The interest of Grecian history is unexhausted and inexhaustible. As a mere story, hardly any other portion of authentic history can compete with it. Its characters, its situations, the very march of its incidents, are epic. It is an heroic poem, of which the personages are peoples. It is also, of all histories of which we know so much, the most abounding in consequences to us who now live. The true ancestors of the European nations (it has been well said) are not those from whose blood they are sprung, but those from whom they derive the richest portion of their inheritance. The battle of Marathon, even as an event in English history, is more important than the battle of Hastings. If the issue of that day had been different, the Britons and the Saxons might still have been wandering in the woods.”.” 

Rating Distribution

• 1 stars: 0 votes
• 2 stars: 0 votes
• 3 stars: 0 votes
• 4 stars: 0 votes
• 5 stars: 0 votes

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have access to the course materials?

You can view and review the lecture materials indefinitely, like an on-demand channel.

Can I take my courses with me wherever I go?

Definitely! If you have an internet connection, courses on Udemy are available on any device at any time. If you don’t have an internet connection, some instructors also let their students download course lectures. That’s up to the instructor though, so make sure you get on their good side!