Posted by JE van der Veen on July 31, 19100 at 19:06:53:

In Reply to: HELP! posted by Faye Plumley on February 28, 19100 at 11:33:15:

: 1)What is his history called?
H has given no name to his work; none of the ancient writers did. If referring to another man's work, they simply cited the first words of it. The titles of the various books of H' work are taken from the names of the Muses: these names were given as late as the Hellenistic period (i.e., after 300 BC.
: 2)What were his main objectives?
H states them himself in his Foreword, the very first words of the work. They are: to commemorate great deeds and works of past generations and (especially)to tell us for what reason the Greeks and the barbarians started to fight. A third motive is given in the discussion between Solon and Croesus: to tell us how instable human happiness is, and how obtuse a stance conceit is.
: 3) What made him different from previous poets and storytellers?
The fact that he described human history as a history of human beings, being determined for the most part by psychological factors. The gods do have a role to play but they are not the crucial agents.
: 4)What were his main sources and how did he use them?
He went by informers (writers and persons he spoke with)whom he sometimes names, sometimes leaves unnamed. He is far from gullible, though some say he is nothing but.
: 5)Why was he known as the father of history, or the father of lies?
Cicero called him the first in recognition of his work; a certain school of interpreters, among whom Stephanie West and Detlev Fehling were foremost, claimed he was the second, thinking he made it all up and never went anywhere. The latter school is being attacked as ever more discoveries are made of H' accurateness. The most amusing book against West c.s. is The Liar School of H, by W.K. Pritchett.
: any help would really be appreciated!!
You're welcome. Bye!

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