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'An exciting, highly informative and also enjoyable read: Shepherd writes with clarity and verve… this book should find its way into the hands of all schools, universities and lovers of Herodotus.' - Peter Jones, Classics for All
Weaving together the accounts of the ancient historian Herodotus with other ancient sources, this is the engrossing story of the triumph of Greece over the mighty Persian Empire.
The Persian War is the name generally given to the first two decades of the period of conflict between the Greeks and the Persians that began in 499 BC and ended around 450. The pivotal moment came in 479, when a massive Persian invasion force was defeated and driven out of mainland Greece and Europe, never to return. The victory of a few Greek city-states over the world's first superpower was an extraordinary military feat that secured the future of Western civilization.
All modern accounts of the war as a whole, and of the best-known battles of Marathon, Thermopylae and Salamis, depend on the ancient sources, foremost amongst them Herodotus. Yet although these modern narratives generally include numerous references to the ancient authors, they quote little directly from them.
The extracts from other ancient writers add value to Herodotus' narrative in various ways: some offer fresh analysis and credible extra detail; some contradict him interestingly; some provide background illumination; and some add drama and colour. All are woven into a compelling narrative tapestry that brings this immense clash of arms vividly to life.
This is the first book to bring together Herodotus' entire narrative and interweave it with other ancient voices alongside detailed commentary to present and clarify the original texts.
Published | Nov 28 2019 |
---|---|
Format | Ebook (Epub) |
Edition | 1st |
Extent | 328 |
ISBN | 9781472808653 |
Imprint | Osprey Publishing |
Illustrations | 40 col |
Series | General Military |
Short code | GNM |
Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
Distinguished military historian of the Persian Wars William Shepherd [...] shows himself to be also a most sensitive interpreter of those Wars' original historian Herodotus. With Shepherd as our guide and Herodotus by our side this key moment in West-East relations is given its full cultural and strategic due.
PAUL CARTLEDGE, A.G. LEVENTIS SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW OF CLARE COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE
The bulk of the book closely follows Herodotus' narrative, combining translated passages (these are very well done) with accurate précis of the intervening narrative. Flesh and muscle to these mighty bones are added in two ways: first, by texts from other sources which enlarge on Herodotus' account, and second by discussions of the historical problems which have kept scholars arguing for over 2000 years.... It is not easy to combine the words of Herodotus with other ancient sources and personal commentary, but S. does so masterfully, without overloading or confusing the reader. S.'s judgement too about what to comment on is also sure.... Finally, it all adds up to an exciting, highly informative and also very enjoyable read: S. writes with clarity and verve. The bargain of the year at the price, this book should find its way into the hands of all schools, universities and lovers of Herodotus. S. has done the ancient world's most appealing historian proud.
Peter Jones, Classics for All
Both extracts – Herodotus, Shepherd – are engagingly direct, and so it is throughout the entire account. From the point of view of the general reader, here is a deeply fascinating story, and a splendidly readable book.
Michael Rodgers, Valley News
A scholarly yet highly readable volume combining ancient history with modern research into the modes and methods of classical warfare on both land and sea
Robert Guttman, Historynet
The Persian War, In Herodotus and Other Ancient Voices is a very good read for anyone interested in the period, and a particularly good introduction to these events for the novice.
StrategyPage
Shepherd has constructed a vivid and plausible account of “The Persian War”, and to read this book is to experience (or reexperience) a most dramatic and consequential historical episode. One can find no better and illuminating companion for the journey than Herodotus and William Shepherd.
Bryn Mawr Classical Review
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