Herodotus

Summary
This lesson introduces students to Herodotus.

Objectives
• To be able to describe Herodotus.

• To be able to explain briefly significance of ?The Histories.?

• To be able to know some of the criticisms against Herodotus.

Suggested Grades
4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade

Excerpt
Herodotus of Halicarnassus was a Greek born around 484 BC in a town called Halicarnassus. He is considered as the Father of History. In the West, he is regarded as the first who wrote history as we know it today. This means that he tried to describe and explain events that happened in the past, as well as the reasons why they happened. He is considered the first to gather his material in a methodical way and write an account of what happened. He is the first author to write a narrative of history. A narrative is a story that is written in a structured format and that describes events. The word ?history? comes from the word ?historia,? which is a Greek word that means ?knowledge gotten by inquiry? or ?a written account of one?s inquiries.?

Continued...