Herodotus, Politics and Athenian Democracy

As is widely accepted by scholars, much of the Western philosophies have roots in ancient Greece. Among the most influential ancient Greek figures is the “Father of History,” Herodotus of Halicarnassus, who chronicled the history of the Persian Wars. Herodotus used the Histories as a medium for discussing the political trends of his time, specifically those in Athens. Herodotus shared his views on the foundation of Greek democracy, comparing and contrasting democracy and monarchy and portraying the Athenian democratic form as the exemplary form of government. In addition, Herodotus warned that Athens would fall victim to the very same faults which had allowed it to come to power. In this article, I argue that Herodotus can be characterized not only as the “Father of History,” but also as the “Father of Propaganda.”