The Use(s) of Inscriptions in Herodotus' Histories

This article revisits a topic of major importance in the study ancient Greek historiography: Herodotus' use inscriptions—a significant group textual sources his Histories. The analysis centres on decidedly varied application epigraphic records. It shows how Herodotean narrator sometimes looks to draw out limitations certain inscribed materials as accurate records past, which thus serve foil for own commemorative writing. But discussion also investigates ways inscriptions other, more positive ends narrative, not least by functioning further form proof and validation some controversial ideas, or serving underline theme that recurs elsewhere text.