CONTENTS. PAGE II. Preliminary examination of the alleged fact of this recitation, according to time and place III. Arguments against the matter of fact of such a reci- III. An enquiry concerning the military expedition of Cambyses in Egypt. Also concerning Phoenicia IV. Of Cambyses, until Darius, son of Hystaspes. VI. The expedition of Aryandes against the Libyans, a companion to that against Scythia. VII. The conquest of the Thracians and Pæonians. The THE LIFE OF HERODOTUS. CHAPTER THE FIRST. HERODOTUS IN THE LAND OF HIS BIRTH. SECTION I. Chronological resting-point for a life of Herodotus. Suidas. WE can hardly imagine an individual to have perused with attention the historical work of Herodotus, and (when most warmed by its living pictures of human strength and weakness) to have found himself with surprise at the conclusion, who would not gladly have cast a look of gratitude upon the author. He who understood so well how to observe and write should have preserved to us some account of himself. The noble forgetfulness of self which distinguishes the most beautiful writers of antiquity, fills us at once with admiration and a feeling of privation. How was the impulse first given to this wonderful man? In what way did his genius thrive? Whence came the funds to discharge the expenses of his travels for improvement? His work remains deaf to our question, and silent1 as Nature concerning her great First Cause. Concerning the date also of the production of the work all express information is denied us. It appears, however, that the author himself saw nothing of the Persian war, himself took no part in its transactions; yet he lived at no great distance of time from it, since he certainly knew Thersander, the Orchomenian, who was present at an entertainment given to Mardonius at Thebes, when the melancholy presentiment suddenly occurred to a Persian who shared This simile is given faithfully; but I cannot but protest against this calumny on the piety and eloquence B of Nature, to those at least who themselves are not deaf to her thousand voices. Translator. |