Regarded by some as the “father of history” in European culture (recall, however, that many biblical histories precede him by many hundreds of years). By Western reckoning, the first European to collate his materials systematically, after verifying the accuracy. Almost exclusively known for his “Histories” on the Greco–Persian Wars (490 BCE and 480–479 BCE).
Successor Greek historians include –
Thucydides (460–395 BCE). Regarded by some as “the father of scientific history” for his fastidious analysis from multiple angles. His classic “The Peloponnesian War” recounts the war between Sparta and Athens in the fifth century BCE.
Xenophon (431–355 BCE). Soldier, mercenary leader, and writer/historian.
A leader of the legendary “Ten Thousand,” the army of Greek mercenaries isolated in the heart of Mesopotamia after their entire Persian leadership is betrayed and murdered. The journey home (to Greece) was recorded by Xenophon as The Anabasis (The Expedition).
Wrote, as well, several works on animals. Often cited as the original “horse whisperer” for his advocacy of sympathetic horsemanship in “On Horsemanship.” Wrote “Memorabilia,” which posits that animals were created by, and in order to serve, humans.
Xenophon was an admirer and recorder of the writings of Socrates (Xenophon’s are the only surviving representative writings of the genre Sokratikoi logoi). Perhaps his most important work is the history of his own times in Greece, “Hellenica.”
Polybius (203–120 BCE). Noted for his book The Histories, covering in detail the period from 220 to 146 BCE. Renowned, as well, for his ideas on political theory and balance of government, in particular. These ideas influenced Montesquieu’s The Spirit of Laws, as well as Jeffersonian democracy.
Plutarch (46–120 CE). Wrote Moralia, a series of 78 essays and speeches on politics, morality and philosophy.
His most noted work is Parallel Lives, a series of biographies of prominent Greeks and Romans.