Herodotus, The Histories - Book 2.86
Commentary Essay – Herodotus, The Histories. Book 2.86
Book two of Herodotus’ The Histories contains his account of Egyptian culture, traditions and relations to Greek religion. In particular, passage eighty-six describes the practice of an ancient ritual that has fascinated people for millennia. In this passage, Herodotus describes the ancient Egyptian method for mummification. Being one of the earliest known records, this account of the mummification process immediately retains merit. This does not mean, however that the account is accurate. While some call Herodotus the “Father of History”, others call him the “Father of Lies”.1 This is most likely due inaccuracies found in his Histories and even in book 2.86. Several scholars in the past and present day have either supported his accounts or discredited them as while some passages have been proven correct, others are thought to be inaccurate or misleading. A lover of oral traditions, Herodotus wrote his Histories as if he were speaking them to his audience rather than simply stating his ‘facts’ another possible reason as to the scepticism with which his work is regarded. Though regardless of its flaws, the Histories remains one of the oldest historical accounts ever recorded and by that definition, if nothing else, it deserves consideration. Having lived during the fifth century BCE, Herodotus would have had first-hand experience with Egyptian culture. Book two is particularly interesting, not just because it is a glimpse into the Egyptian culture but also because of the way in which Herodotus relates Egyptian culture to Greek religion.
Book 2.86 tells the reader about the professional embalmers who specialize in mummification. It details the process from the very beginning, starting from the point in which a corpse is brought in to be embalmed and ending with the body in a casket, ready to be placed in a tomb. Herodotus describes the process which he claims the Egyptians use to preserve the bodies. He
Book two of Herodotus’ The Histories contains his account of Egyptian culture, traditions and relations to Greek religion. In particular, passage eighty-six describes the practice of an ancient ritual that has fascinated people for millennia. In this passage, Herodotus describes the ancient Egyptian method for mummification. Being one of the earliest known records, this account of the mummification process immediately retains merit. This does not mean, however that the account is accurate. While some call Herodotus the “Father of History”, others call him the “Father of Lies”.1 This is most likely due inaccuracies found in his Histories and even in book 2.86. Several scholars in the past and present day have either supported his accounts or discredited them as while some passages have been proven correct, others are thought to be inaccurate or misleading. A lover of oral traditions, Herodotus wrote his Histories as if he were speaking them to his audience rather than simply stating his ‘facts’ another possible reason as to the scepticism with which his work is regarded. Though regardless of its flaws, the Histories remains one of the oldest historical accounts ever recorded and by that definition, if nothing else, it deserves consideration. Having lived during the fifth century BCE, Herodotus would have had first-hand experience with Egyptian culture. Book two is particularly interesting, not just because it is a glimpse into the Egyptian culture but also because of the way in which Herodotus relates Egyptian culture to Greek religion.
Book 2.86 tells the reader about the professional embalmers who specialize in mummification. It details the process from the very beginning, starting from the point in which a corpse is brought in to be embalmed and ending with the body in a casket, ready to be placed in a tomb. Herodotus describes the process which he claims the Egyptians use to preserve the bodies. He
Bibliography: Herodotus. The Histories, book two, passage 86. Oxford University Press, New York, 2008. Page 127 Brown Truesdell S. “Herodotus Speculates about Egypt”, The American Journal of Philology. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 1965. Page 60 Drews, Robert. “Review of Herodotus, Book II: Introduction by Alan Lloyd”, Classical Philology. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1978. Page 78 Lamb, D. S. “Mummification, Especially of the Brain”, American Anthropologist. American Anthropological Association, Arlington County, 1901. Page 295 Brier, Bob and Wade, Ronald. “Surgical Procedures During Ancient Egypt Mummification”, Chungara: Revista de Antropologia Chilena. Universidad de Tarapaca, Chile, 2001. Page 117 Dawson, Warren. “Making a Mummy”, The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology. Egypt Exploration Society, London, 1927. Page 43 Sandison, A. T. “The Use of Natron in Mummification in Ancient Egypt” Journal of Near Eastern Studies. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1963. Page 259 Murray, Oswyn. “Herodotus and the Oral History”, Luragi, 2007. Page 16 Banta, Jason. Thesis – “Historical Disclosure in Herodotus: The Contruction of Greek Identity in Book II of the Histories”. Texas Tech University 1999.