Group Read **Herodotus** Book 7

For all you who have already read Book 7. Here's July's thread. I really must catch up;)

Don't know what's wrong with me at the moment but I'm in a bit of a reading slump, unable to concentrate properly. Don't get me wrong I still want to read but ... the information isn't sticking:(

Finished Book 7. As much as I enjoyed books 1-6, this one really grabbed me, partly because the Landmark maps came in so very handy in following Persian progress as they massed and moved towards Greece. It really is stunning to think of what effort it took through several years' planning and then the actual invasion, and intriguing to read Herodotus' description of the infamous Battle of Thermopylae and the Spartan 300.

I'm back to reading the appendices, of which I've finished 5 out of 21. I'm thinking: maybe we could do Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War next year???

I second the idea of reading Thucydides next year - I've been meaning to forever.

Haven't started book 7 yet, but I hope to get to it by the weekend. One thing I have to say about Herodotus - he tells stories well. It's hard to stop reading once I start.

>2 auntmarge64: & 3 Glad to hear it's so good. I've been looking forward to this part since the beginning. I probably won't get to it until next week, though.

I had also thought of suggesting Thucydides next. I'm pretty sure I even have a copy floating around somewhere.

auntmarge64 you are an inspiration to us all. I still haven't started Book 7 but hope to get my mind in gear very soon.

Thucydides sounds like a good idea, it is one that is on my mental TBR. I haven't got a copy but there is plenty of time to track one down - someone else is starting the threads though:)

>5 calm: A belated thanks to you, calm, for doing such a great job of keeping these threads going!

I've finally finished book 7. I think it's my favorite so far. The details of the march into Europe and the enumeration of the Persian force were a little tedious, but I thought the depiction of Xerxes personality (madness?) and the part played by Damaratus was fascinating. Once again I was surprised at the brevity of the descriptions of the destruction of the Persian fleet and the battle of Thermopylae. Whole books and movies have been made from just a few pages of Herodotus' history.

A few years ago, I read and loved Caroline Dale Snedeker's The Spartan (originally titled The Coward of Thermopylae). It is the fictionalized story of Aristodemus, the Spartan who was so disgraced by his failure to die at Thermopylae, and includes a lot of information about Sparta and Leonidas. Although Mrs Snedeker always gives free reign to her imagination, I think she stayed pretty true to the brief story given by Herodotus.

I'm a little bit embarrassed to admit it, but I know almost nothing about ancient history, and while I'd heard the word "Thermopylae" I didn't know any details of the battle. So I spent the chapter rooting for the Spartans (because I can't stand Xerxes - Herodotus's propaganda has taken hold, lo these many centuries later) and hoping they would win. Alas!

One thing that struck me was how very long it took to get this war started. Between Darius and Xerxes, something like 8 years just to gather the supplies and men to invade. Seems so slow by today's standards. I loved the section where Herodotus described all the battle attire of all the different ethnic troops.

Another favorite part was when Xerxes ordered his troops to punish the Hellespont for the storm that destroyed the first attempt at the bridges. Yep, you go ahead and whip that water, Xerxes. That'll show it! And have your men insult it! It made me laugh out loud.

Another favorite part was when Xerxes ordered his troops to punish the Hellespont for the storm that destroyed the first attempt at the bridges. Yep, you go ahead and whip that water, Xerxes. That'll show it! And have your men insult it!

And this was a man who controlled much of the known world! Although ... we had one recent leader in the U.S. (who shall go nameless, though not numberless - #43) who wouldn't have surprised many people if he'd been caught doing something similar.

I'd love to know if Xerxes was doing it sincerely or because he thought it would impress others.

Finally got around to reading book 7. I must admit that all Herodotus' digressions aren't helping me keep track of what is going on. Though it is interesting stuff. I still love the dreams and oracles influencing decisions.

Agree about the "punishment" of the Hellespont - seems very bizarre.

The time taken to amass the armies and supplies, also to negotiate with possible allies or adversaries, took longer than I thought it would.

Being very brief as my broadband connection is dodgy, I'll try and get Book 8's thread up while I am still connected. As I just finished book 7 maybe this time I'll be able to carry on reading without having to constantly go back to check things.