"Herodotus: The Father of History" Prof. Elizabeth Vandiver (24 Lectures / 30 Minutes Per Lecture / 4x DVD - The Great Courses)
In this course, Professor Elizabeth Vandiver provides a comprehensive look at the "works and wonders" of the ancient world through the lens of Herodotus, the first great historian of the Western world. Spanning 24 lectures, the series explores his monumental work, The Histories, which examines the massive conflict between Greece and the Persian Empire. You’ll explore Herodotus's "inquiries" the root of the word "history" as he travels across Egypt, Asia, and Africa to document cultures like the Scythians and the great kings of Persia, blending myth and legendary tradition with early methods of factual verification.
The course also highlights Herodotus's unique focus on individuals as the primary drivers of historical events, often framing their stories through the classic Greek lens of hubris and fate. Beyond just military history, these lectures examine the cultural and intellectual atmosphere of 5th-century Athens and Sparta, tracing how Herodotus's narrative style was influenced by Homeric epic and the early scientific movements of his day. By the end of the course, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for how his work bridged the gap between legend and history, laying the essential groundwork for how we study the past today.