In Our Time Herodotus
9 snips
Sep 23, 2021 In this insightful discussion, Tom Harrison, a Professor of Ancient History at the University of St Andrews, Esther Eidinow from the University of Bristol, and Paul Cartledge from Clare College, University of Cambridge, delve into the life of Herodotus, the so-called 'father of histories.' They explore his narrative style, the Persian Wars, and his motivations for documenting history. The guests also tackle the complexities of truth in Herodotus’s accounts, his criticisms as the 'father of lies,' and how his observations shaped cultural identities of the ancient world.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Bearded Priestesses
- Herodotus tells a story of a town where priestesses grow beards when misfortune strikes.
- This illustrates Herodotus's inclusion of quirky details, adding to the narrative's richness.
Founding of Cyrene
- The founding of Cyrene has multiple versions, each reflecting different communities' perspectives.
- Herodotus presents these conflicting narratives, highlighting how communities shape their own history.
Funerary Customs
- Darius explores cultural differences by comparing Greek cremation with Callatian Indian cannibalism.
- Herodotus emphasizes how each culture views its customs as normal, highlighting cultural relativism.