Herodotus, often called the "Father of History," wrote The Histories, a monumental work that offers a detailed account of the Greco-Persian Wars and the customs, geography, and cultures of the ancient world. Composed in the 5th century BCE, the work is a blend of history, ethnography, and mythology, with Herodotus traveling extensively to gather stories and firsthand accounts from various regions, including Egypt, Persia, and Scythia. His narrative is rich with anecdotes, digressions, and moral reflections, aiming to explain not only the events of the wars but also the causes behind them, rooted in the complexities of human behavior and divine influence. Herodotus set a precedent for the systematic collection and evaluation of historical information, even as he mixed fact with legend.
