Herodotus, a Greek historian and geographer, was born around 485 BCE in Halicarnassus, a city in Anatolia, which was under Persian control during the 5th century BCE. He later became a citizen of Thurii in modern Calabria, Italy. Herodotus is best known for his work, the Histories, which provides a comprehensive account of the Greco-Persian Wars and the rise of the Achaemenid dynasty under Cyrus. His contributions to history earned him the title 'The Father of History,' a designation attributed to the Roman orator Cicero.The Histories detail the lives of notable kings and significant battles, including Marathon, Thermopylae, and Salamis. Beyond military events, Herodotus included cultural, ethnographical, and geographical information, enriching the narrative with diverse insights. His inclusion of legends and anecdotal accounts drew criticism from contemporaries, particularly from Thucydides, who accused him of fabricating stories for entertainment. In response, Herodotus maintained that he reported what he observed and what was communicated to him. Many aspects of his work have been corroborated by modern historians and archaeologists.Herodotus's early life is primarily reconstructed from his writings and later sources, such as the Byzantine Suda. He claimed to be a native of Halicarnassus and was likely of Hellenized Carian descent. His family was influential, and he was related to the epic poet Panyassis. Following political oppression under Lygdamis, the tyrant of Halicarnassus, Herodotus and his family fled to Samos, where he learned the Ionian dialect. He later returned to Halicarnassus, reportedly leading a revolt against the tyrant, although this account is debated among scholars.Herodotus's travels began in Halicarnassus, which had established trade connections with Egypt. He traveled extensively, visiting Egypt, Tyre, and Babylon, likely after the Athenian fleet's involvement in the Persian uprisings. By around 447 BCE, he moved to Athens, where he admired the democratic institutions and became acquainted with prominent citizens. Plutarch notes that he received a financial reward from the Athenian assembly for his work.In 443 BCE, Herodotus migrated to Thurii as part of an Athenian-sponsored colony. Some passages in the Histories suggest he wrote about Magna Graecia from personal experience. Late sources indicate he may have had a personal relationship with Plesirrhous, a Thessalian hymnographer. Evidence suggests he returned to Athens during the early years of the Peloponnesian War, where he may have died, possibly during a plague outbreak, although some accounts suggest he died in Macedonia or Thurii. His last writings are generally dated before 430 BCE.Herodotus likely shared his research through oral recitations, a common practice of the time. He is said to have read the Histories at the Olympic Games, receiving applause from the audience. Various accounts describe his reluctance to begin until he found shade, leading to the saying 'Herodotus and his shade,' which refers to missed opportunities due to delay. His recitation at Olympia became a popular theme in ancient literature, and he is believed to have been buried in either Macedonia or Thurii.Herodotus aimed to document human events to preserve the achievements of both Greeks and non-Greeks, particularly the causes of hostilities between them. His work represents a significant shift in historical writing, moving beyond local traditions to encompass broader narratives of conflict and cultural exchange. Despite criticisms of exaggeration and storytelling, his contributions laid the groundwork for future historical inquiry.