07-26-2006, 06:33 PM
I am not at all suggesting that the quality of the work is the reason for it's survival, far from it. Alot can happen in 2000 years. Someone might dedicate their life to record important events, only to have some less informed descendant use the old paper to start fires in his hearth. I'm sure the monks would have copied Livy in entirety if they had the chance. It might still be out there somewhere! Perhaps written in Arabic in some remote cave in Spain.
My point is, it's really a simple matter to record what to you appears to be common knowledge. I really could write a passable WWII history. I have read the entirety of Herodotus' work, and I get the feeling that he tries hard to separate fact from fiction. He warns the reader when he is unsure. He does make clear and obvious mistakes, but only in the smaller details like numbers and dates, not for major plot points. For someone in our time to say that the whole thing probably didn't happen, is really an accusation of fraud. That seems to me the kind of thing you need evidence for. Everyone in Herodotus time probably knew the story. Who would he hope to fool?
My point is, it's really a simple matter to record what to you appears to be common knowledge. I really could write a passable WWII history. I have read the entirety of Herodotus' work, and I get the feeling that he tries hard to separate fact from fiction. He warns the reader when he is unsure. He does make clear and obvious mistakes, but only in the smaller details like numbers and dates, not for major plot points. For someone in our time to say that the whole thing probably didn't happen, is really an accusation of fraud. That seems to me the kind of thing you need evidence for. Everyone in Herodotus time probably knew the story. Who would he hope to fool?
Rich Marinaccio
