Xerxes Invasion of Greece

The detailed narrative of Xerxes' invasion of Greece given by Herodotus in the three books of his History has been severely criticized by many modern scholars, basing their attacks on topographical grounds or on principles derived from the study of modern warfare or on statements preserved in ancient authors later than the fifth century B.C. 

These criticisms exaggerate the amount of the unhistorical element contained in the oral traditions collected by Herodotus. the author of this book argues that topography can be used only to supplement, not to contradict Herodotus, that his account of the war must be examined in the light of ancient rather than modern warfare, and in particular that the later  sources cannot be regarded as contributing independent evidence on any point of importance. 

Dusk Jacket worn. 

No annotation throughout.