Herodotus, who is usually called the father of history, was born in 484 BC in the city of Halicarnassus (however, this information is unverified, and no one will be able to name his birth date). It is known for sure that he was born between the Persian wars. Also, contemporaries know a lot about his travels. Herodotus left a lot of information about the Egyptians, Phoenicians and other nations. Geographic discoveries will be briefly reviewed in this article.
Origin of Herodotus
A boy born in Halicarnassus from childhood watched how ships from distant lands come and go to the port. Most likely, this has generated in him a passion for uncharted lands, travels and discoveries. In his youth, he had to leave his homeland because of the struggle against tyranny, which was nevertheless established here. Having lived a little in Samos, in 464, the traveler Herodotus sets off on his long journey, whose geographical discovery will make a significant contribution to science.
Herodotus in Babylon
The ancient majestic capital of Assyria, spread out on the banks of the Euphrates, is Babylon. The great man began his journey with him. The city was surrounded by a moat and solid double brick walls. Streets that walked strictly along the line filled houses on three or even four floors. The traveler especially notes the architecture of the times of the queens of Netoktida and Babylon. Dams, irrigation canals, a bridge - all this was erected in Babylon precisely thanks to wise women. What geographical discoveries of Herodotus are associated with this place?
In general, he spoke respectfully of the culture of the Ancient East, not forgetting its significance for the culture of the ancient world. Herodotus revealed to the world many information about the peoples living on the territory of the modern Tien Shan and Turkmenistan (Sogdah, Sakha, Arey, and so on).
The geographical discoveries of Herodotus in India
While still in Assyria, the traveler heard a lot about the unknown country of India. His records of her were of great interest to contemporaries. According to Herodotus, the first information about an unknown corner was received by King Darius when he sent his subjects to explore the path from the mouth of the Indus to the Red Sea.
There was a huge number of diverse and vibrant birds, large animals and amazing plants. The Greeks of this time did not know rice. Therefore, to the question “What geographical discovery did Herodotus make in India?” You can answer this way: he gave the Greeks a new nutritious cereal - rice. He was surprised by the “wool fruit” - cotton. He wrote about the people of the country that people there speak different languages, there are nomadic and sedentary peoples, and they are all different: someone is engaged in fishing, and someone eats the same grass.
What geographical discoveries did Herodotus make in Scythia?
Speaking about the discoveries of a traveler in this country, it is worth mentioning that he was generally the first to give a detailed description of the life, customs and customs of Scythia. Before Herodotus, almost nothing was known about the Scythians. Since the scientist was born in a mountainous and uneven area, he was very struck by the fact that Scythia is a large plain, rich in fertile black soil. The climate of the country surprised Herodotus, it seemed to him that the winter here lasts at least eight months. He dwells in detail on the description of the rivers of the territory: Istra, Tyra, Borisfen, and so on. His work on the tribes of Scythia turned out to be important for contemporaries, moreover, it is confirmed by excavations made in our time. Herodotus truthfully described the customs and manners of some tribes, personally acquainted with them. Particularly interested in his nomadic livestock tribes, as their lifestyle was unusual for the Greek. The traveler very vividly described the military tactics of the Scythians that he liked. They knew how to retreat in front of the attacking troops, to lure them into a territory convenient for them, and only then open a profitable battle.
Herodotus in Egypt
Egypt aroused the curiosity of the great traveler more than all previously visited countries. He embodied for him the perfect combination of geography and history. The geographical discoveries of Herodotus, made by him in Egypt, were of great importance for Greece of that time. The spills of the Nile struck him, he threw all his strength to unravel his secrets.
The traveler and historian left the first description of the Egyptians, their life and unusual inventions. In his work, he especially noted the connection between the animal and man, which was not observed in Greece. An unspoken agreement concluded by an Egyptian with a cat, crocodile, ibis surprises Herodotus. But nevertheless, he pays the closest attention to the study of the sacred waters of the Nile. Elefantine Island, where the "nilometer" was located, really hooked it. An ordinary well with granite-lined walls was connected to the river by a special device. On the boards, which were fixed very firmly, the water level in the Nile was noted. Returning from the island, the traveler decides to send to Libya.
Criticism of Past Views
Herodotus, traveling in different lands, received a tremendous experience for that time. He could criticize old ideas about the world. These geographical discoveries of Herodotus are also important!
The Greeks believed that the inhabited land has the shape of a circle. Herodotus refutes this misconception. He also said that the land mass should not be divided into three parts, and the borders should be drawn along great rivers. He proposed dividing Europe, Asia and Libya (which had enormous differences in the population and nature of the area) not along the Fasis, Tanais, Nile rivers, but along the Mediterranean Sea, Pontus and Metaida. Traveling around the world, the scientist refuted the idea of the Greeks that the earth is disc-shaped, rises along the edges, and deepens towards the middle.
After reading the works on geography and history written by the Greek Herodotus, one can not underestimate his great contribution to science! The traveler is called one of the main pioneers of his time. He collected the available knowledge about the world in one work, gave contemporaries and followers descriptions of many tribes, their way of life, and customs. The follower of the great Herodotus was Strabo.