Herodotus among the sages: Four studies on the intellectual background of the 'Histories'

This dissertation examines the intellectual background of Herodotus' Histories in order to demonstrate the convergence of diverse ideas and influences in his trailblazing text. While each chapter investigates a separate influence, they all contribute to an overriding thesis: Herodotus presents himself as heir to the intellectual activity of archaic sages, for whom he is a major source of information. Chapter One lays the foundation for this argument by analyzing the representation of sages within the Histories and demonstrating their similarity to Herodotus. Viewed as a group, the sages are itinerant performers of wisdom with interests in poetry, politics, and foreign customs. These qualities are shared by Herodotus, a touring researcher who displays his learning and devotes large portions of his work to ethnography and politics, with a narrative style influenced by poetic models. Once these parallels are noted, each subsequent chapter focuses on a particular aspect of the sage paradigm. Chapter Two examines Herodotus' poetic tendencies in his account of the Battle of Thermopylae, the significance of which is conveyed through Homeric allusion. Chapter Three considers the political engagement of Herodotean sages, famous for giving cautionary advice to overconfident rulers. This motif reemerges in Herodotus' depiction of Athens, thus supporting the common notion that he issues tacit criticism of Athenian imperialism. Chapter Four argues that Herodotus' geographical speculation is a product of his extensive travels, another practice that invites comparison with the sages populating his narrative. Throughout the Histories, Herodotus presents himself as a sage for the fifth century. Parallels to archaic intellectuals do not make him an outmoded or simplistic thinker. Herodotus may adopt the habits of archaic wise men, but he uses them to address ideas and concerns from his own time.