Herodotus: Histories Book VI

Treats Herodotus' compelling narrative of the Battle of Marathon. Detailed commentary will aid both translation and literary and historical appreciation.

New text and full commentary for one of Herodotus' most varied books, covering the collapse of the Ionian Revolt and the glorious victory at Marathon, as well as court intrigue at Sparta, Kleomenes' grisly death, and Hippokleides' 'dancing away his marriage'. Suitable for undergraduate and graduate students, teachers and scholars.Book VI of the Histories is one of Herodotus' most varied books, beginning with the final collapse of the Ionian Revolt and moving on to the Athenian triumph at Marathon (490 BC); it also includes fascinating material on Sparta, full of court intrigue and culminating in Kleomenes' grisly death, and there is comedy too, with Alkmeon's cramming clothes, boots, and even cheeks with gold dust, then Hippokleides 'dancing away his marriage'. In Herodotus' time, Marathon was already reaching almost legendary status, commemorated in epigrams and monuments, and in this edition a substantial introduction discusses Herodotus' relation to these other memorials. It also explores the place of the book in the Histories' overall structure, and pays particular attention to Herodotus' treatment of impiety. A new text is then accompanied by a full commentary, covering literary and historical aspects and offering help with translation. The volume is suitable for undergraduates, graduate students, teachers and scholars.