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  • 希罗多德: 波希战争史
    HERODOTUS: Histories (The) - The Persian War
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• • 希罗多德: 波希战争史 / HERODOTUS: Histories (The) - The Persian War
  • [ 读物介绍 ]
  • HerodotusThe Persian Warfrom The Histories This abridgement is based on the second half of Herodotus’The Histories, in which he tells the story of the prolonged struggle betweenthe Persian empire of Xerxes and a small group of Greek city-states led by Athens.The first half of The Historiesdescribes the growth of the Persian empire: for half a century prior to theoutbreak of war with Greece, the Persians had been steadily pushing back theboundaries of their empire until it stretched from Libya and Thrace in the westto the River Indus in the east. This empire also included the Greek states ofIonia, on the eastern shores of the Aegean. Although the Greeks called the Persians ‘barbaroi’ —barbarians — this was not strictly a pejorative term, but reflected the simplefact that they spoke a language quite unlike Greek. The Persians were in facthighly civilized and accomplished people, skillful not only in war but also inthe arts of peace — they were knowledgeable farmers and gardeners, andadministered their territories both efficiently and humanely, provided theirsubjects were loyal and obedient. The empire enjoyed good communications byland and sea, and was by the beginning of the 5th century BC in a position; itseemed, to annex Greece as the next stage of expansion. Herodotus, although respecting the Greeks and especially theAthenians, is quite ready to criticize them when he feels it necessary, and isopenly admiring of the best qualities of the Persians. He was himself born inHalicarnassus, one of the Ionian Greek cities under Persian rule at the verytime of the wars, which he was later to chronicle. In 499 BC the Ionian Greeks revolted against their Persianmasters. Although the Persians eventually suppressed the rebellion, they werenot slow to recognize the power and influence of Athens, which had helped therebels. In 492 King Darius sent his cousin Mardonius against the Greeks, but heenjoyed little success. Now Darius decided to mount an expedition of huge sizeand strength, one which might conquer all Greece but whose principal objectivewould be Athens itself, and which the King in person would lead. Before hecould start, however, Darius died and was succeeded by his son Xerxes, whodecided to continue the project and finally set out in the spring of 480,crossing the Hellespont by a bridge of boats. Herodotus carries this great story through both the landbattles (Marathon, Thermopylae, Mycale) and those fought at sea (Salamis,Plataea). Throughout this heroic narrative — which effectively describes thesalvation of Greek civilization — Herodotus not only delights in the revealingincident, the note of character, but also carries the tale forward with force,authority and style. It is worth remembering that Herodotus is effectively thefirst European historian —- the first, that is, to attempt an objective andproperly researched account of real events, as distinct from a fancifulre-working of myth. Of course, he made mistakes, could not always double-checkhis sources (which must primarily have been oral): but his achievement remainsremarkable. Thucydides and Xenophon, who came after, could never have writtenas they did without his example. Notes by Perry Keenlyside.
  • • 作品列表
    • • CD01
      • 作品编号：23317  The Histories: The Persian War

      • In The 6th Century BC, Cyrus And His Son Cambyses Expand The Persian Empire

      • Darius Pursues His Own Design

      • The Battle Of Marathon

      • The Wrath Of Darius

      • Xerxes Builds A Canal And A Bridge

      • The Persian Army Marches Out

      • The Review And The Numbering Of The Persian Army

      • The Army Marches Upon Greece Through Thrace

      • Themistocles Takes Control With Shrewd Counsel

      • The Greeks Decide To Guard The Pass of Thermopylae

      • CD02
      • 作品编号：23317  The Histories: The Persian War

      • The Commander Of The Force, The Spartan Leonidas

      • Betrayal By Ephialtes

      • The Final Conflict At Thermopylae

      • The Greek Fleet At Artemisium

      • The Greeks' Naval Strategy

      • 'The Third Day Was Now Come'

      • The Greek Fleet Sails To Salamis

      • The Persians Sack Athens

      • Manoeuvres - And The Battle Of Salamis

      • The Rout Of The Persians Begins

      • Mardonius Proposes His New Plans To Xerxes

      • Xerxes Withdraws His Forces

      • CD03
      • 作品编号：23317  The Histories: The Persian War

      • Themistocles Is Honoured By The Greeks

      • Mardonuis, Through His Ambassador, Entreats The Athenians To Make Peace

      • Mardonius Burns Athens And Withdraws From Attica

      • Masistius Leads The Persians Against The Greeks

      • Preparations For The Battle Of Plataea

      • The Battle Of Plataea Begins

      • Further Defeat For The Persians At Mycale In Ionia

      • The Love Of Xerxes For The Wife And Daughter Of Masistes

      • The Greeks Sail For The Hellespont

      • Herodotus Concludes The Histories With A Reminiscence Of Cyrus: 'Soft Countries Gave Birth To Soft M