Book 2

2.1 Cambyses succeeded his father as king. He invaded Egypt with an army composed of his various subjects, inc. the Greeks of Asia Minor.

Posted on 08-16-15 | Permalink

2.2 The Egyptians used to think they were the oldest of men, but their king Psammetichus disproved this by experimenting on newborns.

Posted on 08-17-15 | Permalink

2.3 I heard this story re. Psammetichus from priests in Memphis. I also went to Thebes and Heliopolis to hear what people there had to say.

Posted on 08-18-15 | Permalink

2.4 The Egyptians invented the year & 12 30-day months (+ 5 additional days). Their 1st king was Min. In his day Egypt was mostly marsh.

Posted on 08-19-15 | Permalink

2.5 I believe it, because it is clear when you travel there that Egypt is a gift of the river.

Posted on 08-20-15 | Permalink

2.6 The Egyptian coastline is 60 schoeni long [about 397 miles].

Posted on 08-21-15 | Permalink

2.7 From the coast inland to Heliopolis [at the apex of the Nile delta] is 165 miles.

Posted on 08-22-15 | Permalink

2.8 South of Heliopolis Egypt is narrow, flat land bordered by mountains to the east and west. Beyond these the land widens again.

Posted on 08-23-15 | Permalink

2.9 It's 9 days by boat from Heliopolis south to Thebes (517 miles), and another 200 miles from Thebes to Elephantine.

Posted on 08-24-15 | Permalink

2.10 Much of Egypt is an alluvial deposit. I think the land north of Memphis was once a gulf, now silted up. The Nile is huge with 5 mouths.

Posted on 08-25-15 | Permalink





"Tweeting Herodotus, or recasting The History for the digital age"

Press release

Herodotus Timemap (see for maps)

Macaulay's trans. with facing Greek


Browse tweets by book
Or click here to find a specific section.

1534 of 1534 sections posted:
0%
100%