Herodotus: Book VI

The Sixth Book of Herodotus covers the history of Greece in the first decade of the fifth century BC, including such momentous events as the Ionian revolt and the Marathon Campaign. This commentary, aimed at undergraduates and sixth-formers, is intended to introduce them to the work of one of the most significant and entertaining writers of his day, whose influence on the development of prose literature in general and historiography in particular was of paramount importance. This edition is intended to replace that of E.S. Shuckburgh, first published in 1889 at a time when the student's knowledge of Greek grammar and syntax was very much greater than is the case today. In addition several generations of scholars have broadened immeasurably our understanding of Greek history since Shuckburgh's day. Accordingly this commentary explains points of grammar and syntax while at the same time covering the historical interpretation. The book reproduces Schuckburgh's Greek text, but comes with a new introduction and up-to-date bibliography.