The people who at least are a little interested in Antiquity history for certain heard a name of Herodotus - the famous Ancient Greek historian. The Roman philosopher, the politician and the speaker Cicero even called him "the father of history". Why this honourable was nicknamed Herodotus?
Exact date of birth of Herodotus is unknown and approximately is defined as 484 B.C. He was born in Asia Minor, in the territory of the city of Galikarnasa occupied and created by the Greek settlers. Future historian in youth participated in intracity political conflicts, and subsequently traveled much. He visited a considerable part of the territory of an oykumena - so Greeks called the lands known to them occupied by people. Subsequently moved to Greece, to Athens where continued creation of the historical work. Herodotus lived long life for the time and died in 425 B.C.
His name was kept by descendants thanks to the fact that he became the author of the first historical research - the nine-volume book called "History". Uniqueness of this book also that this and earliest prosaic literary work which completely reached our days. But it must be kept in mind that this book carries a little general with modern historical researches. It represents a combination of historical stories to various observations of the author which can be carried to ethnographic and culturological judgments. That is, "History" is the whole collection, the encyclopedia devoted both to history, and modern for Herodotus of life of various countries and the people.
The main plot considered by Herodotus are the Greek-Persian wars which ended several years prior to writing of "History". Nevertheless, it is impossible to treat Herodotus's work as scientific work. The methodological device of modern researchers, for example criticism of a source, were not known to ancient Greeks yet. Therefore in "History" it is possible to meet also the facts which can be considered reliable, and just written down myths. Nevertheless, "History" is very important book which became some kind of standard of historical work still in the ancient time. Also the Roman tradition of an istoriopisaniye was based on this work at first Greek, and then.