SOURCE: "Herodotus," in A History of Greek Literature: From the Earliest Period to the Death of Demosthenes, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1900, pp. 306-27.

In the following essay, Jevons provides a general introduction to the History, addressing Herodotus's rhetorical methods and beliefs and considering his credibility as a travel narrator.

Halicarnassus, the birthplace of Herodotus, was situated on the south-west coast of Asia Minor, and was originally occupied by Carians. Dorian emigrants from Troezene then settled there, and for some time the place belonged to a confederation consisting of six Dorian cities, but eventually was excluded or withdrew from the alliance. Like the other Greek colonies on the coast of Asia Minor, Halicarnassus became subject first to the Lydian power, and then, when Cyrus conquered the Lydian kingdom, to the Persian empire. In pursuance of the policy which they employed elsewhere, the Persians did not directly govern Halicarnassus, but established...