Who is Known as the Father of History? [Herodotus]

Herodotus is known as the father of history because he authored the first authoritative historical text that systematically recorded historical events. Herodotus earned his title because he travelled to faraway lands, interviewed the locals, and collected written accounts of their experiences. He was a curious man who practiced the simple methods of noting everything down and keeping records of his travels and interactions with people.

Herodotus earned the title of "Father of History" from the Roman statesman Cicero. He was also sometimes criticized for various outright discussions. Here, you will learn everything about the father of history in India, why Herodotus is called the father of history, the father of modern history, and many more such facts.

The Father of History

The title of the father of history was given to Herodotus by the famous Roman statesman Cicero. His work was considered relevant even 2500 years after his demise and was read widely by many historians who wished to understand the culture and civilization of Egypt. He was rightfully known as the Father of History as provided insights into the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Persia, Scythia and more.

Herodotus is also credited for his major work, ' The Histories’, where he compiled various events in multiple volumes. The father of history was often called biased for his writings, and he favoured the non-Greeks. His writings were also doubted because they went against many legends and often crossed the line between fact and fiction. Lastly, the father of history provided many descriptions of military combat and defined world history through his work.

About Herodotus - The Father of History

Biographically, very little is known about the father of history, Herodotus. He was from the city of Halicarnassus, now in Turkey, and was previously a part of the Persian Empire. Herodotus traveled a lot, venturing into Egypt and then visiting Athens, and various parts of the middle east, including Syria and Babylon.

Father of History - Herodotus Works

Due to a fine line of difference between fact and fiction, Herodotus' writings faced much criticism. Here is some information about the works of the father of history.

• However, other historians like Thucydides drew inspiration from the father of history, Herodotus.
• Some state that the work of Herodotus was biased, particularly in favor of the non-greeks.
• Today, scholars tend to have a more balanced view of his writings.
• Herodotus was known to correct all the inaccuracies found in his writing before sharing it with the world.
• Herodotus, the father of history, had a conflicting account of the events relayed by the Epic poet Homer.
• The Trojan war was supposedly instigated when Trojans kidnapped Helen, the wife of the Spartan King.
• But according to Herodotus' writing, Helen was known to be in Egypt the whole time. Herodotus frequently provided diversions into such legends.
• Herodotus provided lengthy descriptions of military engagements that defined the course of history.
• Such narratives qualified his work as one of the most valuable historical writings.

The Contributions of the Father of History

Herodotus offered various insights into the civilization of early Egypt, Assyria, Scythia, and Persia. On his travels, the father of history interviewed many locals and collected written accounts. Herodotus was known to be a curious man. So he practiced the simple method of writing down everything he heard from these people.

• In one of the accounts, he spoke about a headless man that had his eye on his chest in Libya.
• Herodotus, who was the father of history, also wrote about gold-digging ants in India.
• Then, whether Herodotus was telling the truth or simply making up stories was unclear.
• Herodotus, who is known as the father of history, had various oldest works that existed in the world.
• His work became relevant after 2500 years of his death, as most historians read his accounts to understand Egypt's civilization and culture.

Herodotus Father of History - Results

Herodotus had his ancestors in unpoetic writing, especially Hecataeus of Miletus, an eminent traveler whom Herodotus mentioned.

• But these predecessors wrote catalogs of local occasions or encyclopedic travel accounts, none of which created a unity, an organic whole.
• Herodotus created a work that was an organic whole and became the first Greek to do so among all historians.
• As the father of history, he remained the leading source of authentic facts for Greek history, western Asia, and Egypt between 550 and 479 BCE.

The Father of History in India

Due to his pioneering work recording various ethnographic observations in India, Megasthenes is considered the father of history in India.

• His works are compiled into a volume called 'INDIKA'. In ancient Greek, the word 'INDIKA' represented various things related to India.
• Megasthenes arrived in India sometime between 302 BCE and 288 BCE. He was the first foreign ambassador to India and was sent by Seleucus.
• The Hellenistic king sent him to the Mauryan emperor Chandragupta. During that time, he stayed in the state of Patliputra and wrote about then-India.
• His works detailed the political arrangements that the Indian ruler made and how he unified them under one administration.
• He also described the people, climate, land, and soil fertility.
• His original work was somehow lost. He is only mentioned in fragments in Latin and Greek words in the contemporary world.

FAQs about Father of History

Q1. Who is the Father of History?

Herodotus is known as the Father of History. He is famous for having written the Histories – an exact chronology of the Greco-Persian Wars. He was the first writer to perform a systematic examination of recorded events. The father of history usually wrote about his travels and interactions with people.

Q2. What did the Father of History write about?

Herodotus, who is the father of history, wrote about the incidents that took place during his time in Egypt and Middle Eastern countries like Babylon, Persia, etc. He is also known as the first person to record everyday events and interactions systematically through his writings.

Q3. Who is known as the Father of History of India?

Megasthenes is known as the Father of History of India due to his pioneering work recording ethnographic observations as the first foreign ambassador to India. He arrived in India between 302 BCE and 288 BCE and his works are compiled into a volume called 'INDIKA'.

Q4. Who is the Father of Modern History?

Bishop William Stubbs is known as the Father of Modern History. He was an influential English historian who established the systematic study of English medieval constitutional history. His best work is now maintained in 19 editions of medieval English chronicles.

Q5. How to write the father of history in Hindi?

हेरोडोटस को इतिहास का जनक कहा जाता है। हेरोडोटस वह पहले व्यक्ति थे जिन्होंने 'हिस्ट्री' शब्द का आविष्कार किया था, और उन्होंने हिस्ट्री शब्द की परिभाषा दुनिया को बतलाई थी।

Q6. Who is the Father of Scientific History?

Thucydides is considered the Father Of Scientific History. He recorded almost 30 years of war and rivalry between Sparta and Athens. His “History of the Peloponnesian War” placed a level for accuracy of the historical genre.

Q7. Who is regarded as the Father of Indian Pre History?

Robert Bruce Foote is regarded as the Father Of Indian Pre History. He was a British archaeologist who performed geological surveys of prehistoric places for the Geological Survey of India.

Q8. Why is Herodotus entitled the Father of History?

Herodotus got the title of The Father Of History because he was the first chronicler to document the events that happened systematically. He roamed the world for many years, visiting Babylonia, Susa, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Lydia, Susa, and Phrygia to conclude his research.