Herodotus describes the struggle between the Greeks and their Persian neighbors in the first 25 chapters, as well as the history of the two Achaemenid empires. Herodotus claimed that the Croesus king was to blame for this war. Herodotus veers off course by providing a brief biography of the Croesus and their ancestors so that we can comprehend how the conflict got started. It's fascinating to note that King Croesus of Lydia decided to launch an attack against his neighbors after growing weary of their growing power. So far, the only thing that added to the conflict was seizure on both sides. Through the formation of many alliances from the Spartans and Amasis, an inclusive battle occurs between the Croesus and the Persian empire. However, it is unfortunate that the Persian king, Cyrus the Great during the second attack defeats them and started the siege of the Lydian capital.
The Histories Book 1, chapters 26-92
Herodotus continues to describe Cyrus the Great, adventures. It is clear that the contemporary cuneiform texts inform us of the opponents side of the story during the great conflict. From Herodotus credibility, Nabonidus allies with Arabia fear the growing pressures from the growing Persian power. Here, Herodotus description of the neighborhood of modern Baghdad is nonsensical. He concludes that the walls of the Babylonian kingdom are 100 meters high and 22 kilometers in length. I became skeptical after reading this having a notion that Herodotus did not set foot in the old Babylonian city. After the conquest of Lydia, Sardes, and Media, Cyrus kingdom now stretched from the Greek towns to the Aegean sea. Cyrus further defeats the Babylonian troops where the digression of Babylonian customs takes place and king Cyrus is killed when he introduces the campaigns against Massagetes.
The Histories Book 2
Herodotus book 2 revolves around the Persian kingdom invasion of Egypt. A brief description of Egypt is given where I was able to understand why the Egyptian language is one of the oldest. His ridicule of other researchers on the opinion of the Egyptian subject, however, is absurd. Generally speaking, most fairy tales Herodotus explains is a mixture of the cultural lifestyle of the Egyptians under their rule by the pharaohs. The story of king Rhampsintus and the Egyptian thief revealed more about the great conqueror Senusret III. The discussions are however exemplary since he informs us of the inundation of the river and an unpleasant aspect of Egypt through the expressions of the customs of the Nile people. It was interesting to learn how mummies were made through Herodotus explanations of the Egyptian customs on the temple of Hercules of Tyre. Herodotus mentions more about the Egyptian history where I learned that more about the Pharaoh Min. His successor, Pheros was blind and his rule was overseen by the Trojan war during the reign of the Dodecarchy who divided Egypt. The pyramids were built during the (672-525) rule under the rule of Kushite pharaoh Sabacus.
The Histories Book 3
The third book Herodotus talks about the expedition of the Persian king Cambyses. It is probable that Cambyses rule was a successful one due to the fact that the defection of admiral Wedjahor-Rene of Egypt. Outstandingly, during the battle of Pelusium 50000 Egyptians and 7000 Persians died. What doesn’t sound convincing is the fact that Darius Behistun inscription contradicts with Herodotus story of the double coup of the Magians during 522 BCE. This is because in Herodotus story there are two Magian who makes others to call him Bardiya. However, in Darius Behistun inscription there is only one Magian who is famous for seizing the power and earns the title Bardiya. The Behistun inscription also gives us more information about the Babylonian rebellions under Nidintu Bel and Armenian Arakha. The termination of the rule of Polycrates nonetheless seems absurd due to the fact that the pharaoh Amasis thought, influences the attack by the Corinthians and the Spartans. The new country under the ruling of Darius results in the division of the country into twenty satrapies.
The Histories, Book 4
Book 4 continues the revelation of the ruling of king Darius. It is now common to see an opportunity for a disgression being taken by Herodotus in his descriptions of the Scythian tribes. What is common between the Scythians and the Sacae is the similar lifestyle. It is certain, however, that the nomad tribes attacks on the Achaemenid empire were due to their roaming nature over the Central Asian steppe. I identify with the Scythian farmers who are revealed by Herodotus in his description of the man-eaters of the Milograd culture and the Chernoles culture. It is unfortunate that the Greeks who lived on the Scythian coast were influenced by such cultures due to their monadic attributes to adopting human sacrifices, blood drinking habits, and the use of medicinal plants such as hemp to get high due to their gruesome acts. The Chinese great wall is as a result of the attacks of the nomads are built to protect themselves. The Cimmerians destroyed the kingdom of Urartu that became extinct for 28 years.
The Histories Book 5
In this book, Herodotus describes the wars between the Greeks and the Persians. A revelation of the conquest of Thrace and the ensuing submissions reveal short digressions of the parallel customs of the people of Thrace. The policy obtained by Otane based on the conquering towns of the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea was a sound one. This is because the logical sequel of the policy gave rise to new authorities that guarded the entrance of Hellespont towards the Achaemenian empire. However, the chronology of events that lead to the Ionian revolt is not clear. It is very interesting to affirm that Histiaeus opted to form an alliance with Darius to prevent the conquest by deporting the Ionians. From a strategic point of view, the Aristagoras notion to help the army through the provision of the Phoenician ships was far much better that Hecataeus advise forming an army and attack on land. What is clear is that Sparta had well-trained soldiers.
The Histories Book 6
In this book, it is clear that the arrival of Histiaeus at Sardes is the sole reason for the outbreak of the Ionian Revolt against king Darius. Miletus becomes completely destroyed and its revenge was sympathesized by the Ionian Revolt. From Herodotus revelation in book 5, Miltiades had proposed to revoke the rebellion during Darius's fight against the Scythian campaign. However, if we are to believe Herodotus that the destruction of the bridge across the Danube cut off the retreat the proposal to save Darius might have occurred during the revenge attacks by the Miltiades. In the last chapters of book 6, it is clear that the punishment faced by the Athenians after the pacification of the Ionian revolt was as a result of the Greek religion where the kings offered sacrifices to their gods to be granted permission to do any reasonable damage to their enemies. In this revelation, a violent northern gale enrages and three hundred ships are smashed up and several thousands of men are attacked by sea monsters. This was considered as the first navy attack on Thaos. The Mardonius expedition talks place in 492 BCE where Cleomenes machinations came into existence.
The Histories Book 7
Darius in this book decides to fully invade Greece. In my perspective, the news of the disaster at Marathon is the one that orchestrated him to invade Greece as it angered him. His goal eventually becomes to subjugate Europe unlike his first which was to punish Athens. From the cuneiform text presented by Herodotus, it is evident that the invasion leads to Darius’s death. The provinces, therefore, had to revolt against the Achaemenid empire in 486BCE and Xerxes became the new king. I believe that there were other revolts. This is because two rebel kings are introduced by Herodotus. King Bel-simanni and king Samas-Ariba rebelled the succession of king Xerxes the throne. Probably, Herodotus catalog pertaining the spies at Sardes can be compared to Persian documents. The Daiva inscription estimates that actually, 220001 soldiers of the Persian army served on the ships that made Xerxes postpone the attack due to lack of Thessalian allies. Most of Xerxes expedition was directed at Athens. His main objective, however, was to conquer Greece. Themistocles shipbuilding program was aggravated by the Athos peninsula and the threat of the Aeginetan Navy during the year 483 BCE.
The Histories Book 8
In this book, the Greek successes of the naval engagement at Artemisium. It is evident that Herodotus has a wide knowledge of military affairs. This is because he illustrates the coincidence retaliatory battles that occurred after Greek’s fall by the Persian navy. Xerxes army would be reduced in number if the Greek strategy succeeded. The true revelation of the extent of the differences between the Persian army and the Greek army can be seen by Herodotus illustration. Two hundred warships are sen with the aim of destroying the Greek navy at Thermopylae and in comparison, the Athenians sent 52 vessels. The Greek tactics in defeating their enemies through concentrated attacks enable Leonidas of the Persians to be defeated. It is unlikely that Delphi was ever attacked by the Persians. This results in a quarrel between the Greek admirals of the failure at Delphi. The Athenians admirals king Xerxes orders the construction of mole between Salamis and the mainland to serve as an escape route in case of an attack. This came to be regarded as The Aegean World today.
The Histories Book 9
Herodotus stories of the Battle at Plataea have presented very strange elements in history. First, the visit by the Macedonian king, Alexander resulted in great turmoil. However, this relevance is not shown by Herodotus. It is also implausible that king Alexander would live the Persian camp without the knowledge of anyone n the camp as there was always great attention towards him. Second, the Greeks retreating at night from Kithaeron led to the Persian mounting archers. This engagement that took place in 479 BCE was among the last battles the Greeks had to encounter during their expansion and conflicts with the Persians. A revelation of the conquest of Thrace and the ensuing submissions reveal short digressions of the parallel customs of the people of Thrace. The policy obtained by Otane based on the conquering towns of the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea was a sound one. This is because the logical sequel of the policy gave rise to new authorities that guarded the entrance of Hellespont towards the Achaemenian empire.
