Analysis of evidence to draw conclusions

Analysis of Evidence in Herodotus’ Tales

Recognising that Herodotus is often referred to as ‘The Father of History’ because of his attempt to record and understand the past.
Acknowledging that Herodotus’ works are both a source of entertainment and a valuable historical resource.
Understanding that though his accounts might seem like folk tales or legends, his aim was to provide an explanation for the events that took place.
Practising caution while using Herodotus as a historical source because he often intersperses factual narration with mythical tales, personal biases, and traveller’s tales.

Being able to identify the primary and secondary sources Herodotus used in his works.
Understanding that assessing credibility is fundamental when analysing Herodotus’s work.
Acknowledging that bias, both Herodotus’s own and those of the sources he uses, can affect the reliability of the information.

Being able to differentiate between Herodotus’ factual reportage and the storytelling elements he used.
Knowing how to evaluate Herodotus’ credibility based on his historical account.
Recognising that drawing conclusions requires examining the evidence in the context of the period in which Herodotus wrote his works.
Understanding that conclusions drawn from Herodotus’ text should take into account both historical context and Herodotus’ potential biases and motivations.

Learning to validate Herodotus’ claims by cross-referencing them with other historical accounts from the same period.
Assessing how Herodotus’ narrative compares to archaeological evidence.
Becoming skilful at discerning differences between Herodotus’ account and other historical and archaeological sources.

Understanding the cultural and historical significance of Herodotus’ accounts.
Acknowledging that Herodotus’ works offer a unique insight into Greek and (near) Eastern societies during the 5th century BC.
Identifying that Herodotus often included local customs, beliefs and traditions in his narratives which can provide important insights into these societies.