The Herodotus Encyclopedia (PDF)

The only comprehensive gateway to Herodotus' Histories, the story they tell, and the world in which they were written

In writing his Histories in the second half of the fifth century B.C.E., Herodotus of Halicarnassus created the genre of historical writing in the West. His work combines historical questions with the vibrant narrative of a master storyteller. Two and a half millennia later, the "Father of History" continues to captivate modern scholars, historians, and interested readers alike. The Herodotus Encyclopedia is the first work of its kind ever published. This encyclopedia offers students and faculty of all levels an easy-to-use reference tool while providing Herodotean scholars an up-to-date collection of recent work in the field.

Spanning three volumes, this singular publication surveys the current state of knowledge and understanding of Herodotus' work, and discusses past, current, and emerging approaches to the text. More than 2,500 entries cover the individuals, peoples, and places Herodotus names in his Histories, the composition of and central themes in his work, and the historical, social, intellectual, and literary context of the period. Many entries also explore the text's scholarship and reception from antiquity up to the present day. Featuring contributions from an international team of more than 180 scholars, this important resource:
* Features entries for every proper name, group, and region mentioned in Herodotus' Histories
* Offers discussions of the history of Herodotean studies and scholarship
* Incorporates the methods and findings of several different disciplines in the humanities
* Includes maps and illustrations, a User Guide, and full bibliographical citations within each entry

The Herodotus Encyclopedia is an indispensable text for scholars in classics and related fields, instructors and professors who cover Herodotus in their courses, research libraries, and students of ancient Greek history and literature.