The Histories

This revised Norton Critical Edition of The Histories offers a complete, annotated translation and rich historical context, making it an essential resource for readers.

Walter Blanco’s acclaimed translation of The Histories is now presented in its entirety in this revised and expanded Norton Critical Edition. Herodotus’s work stands as the earliest continuous prose narrative in Western literature, captivating readers with its length—surpassing even the Homeric epics. The author’s storytelling prowess and keen curiosity continue to engage audiences, making this edition a valuable resource for those interested in historical narratives.

This Norton Critical Edition serves as an ideal introduction to Herodotus, featuring the complete text of The Histories. The translation is meticulously annotated and comes with a comprehensive introduction, a detailed chronology of events, and insightful notes on the Persian Wars. Additionally, seven newly included maps provide readers with a visual context for the significant events and locations from 490 to 479 B.C.E., enhancing the overall understanding of the historical backdrop.

The “Backgrounds” section offers a rich array of historical writings from notable figures such as Aeschylus, Bacchylides, Thucydides, Aristotle, and Plutarch. This edition also introduces contrasting accounts from Diodorus of Sicily and Strabo regarding the legendary Amazons. The “Commentaries” section is divided into early modern interpretations and modern assessments, including contributions from François Hartog, James Redfield, and Siep Stuurman, shedding light on Herodotus’s historical significance and the complexities of the Persian Wars. A Glossary, Selected Bibliography, and Index round out this comprehensive edition.