Book 4
BOOK IV
[For the Σκυθικοὶ λόγοι cf. K. Neumann, Die Hellenen im Skythenlande
(1855), and S. Reinach, Antiquits de Russie Mridionale
(1891-2).]
This book falls into two parts, cc. 1-144 giving the account of
Scythia and the Scythian expedition, cc. 145-205 the story of
Cyrene. Except Book II, no part of H.'s narrative has so little to
do with his main subject, while none is so rich in curious information,
much of which is invaluable to the anthropologist. The
account of the Scythians especially is important as the earliest
study we possess of an uncivilized people. Nothing is more instruc[p. 303]
tive, in estimating the difference between the points of view of H. and
of Thucydides, than to compare the former's full-length study of the
Scythians with the brief sketch of Macedonia and Thrace given by
the latter (ii. 97; cf. 81. 1 n.); H. is the type of the earlier Greek,
to whom all knowledge and all the world were of interest, Thucydides
of the Periclean Athenian, who concentrated himself on the
political affairs of Greece in the narrowest sense.
Ch. 1-4
The motives for Darius' campaign (for a discussion of these
cf. App. XII. 3-4).
Ch. 1
[sect. 1]
au)tou=: emphatic; the king led in person. Cf. vii. 10 η. For the
Scythian invasions cf. i. 104-6 nn., for the Cimmerian i. 15 nn.
