Ways of Seeing

Herodotus’ Egypt in the History of Modern Reception

Abstract

While the legacy of Herodotus has already captured the attention of many commentators, only a few have delved into the distinct aspects of the reception of the Egyptian logos, predominantly concentrated in Book 2. This is surprising given its significance, not only for its exemplary nature, but also for its originality. This study aims to pinpoint the specific features characterizing the reception of Book 2, mainly spanning from the nineteenth century to the present day. It approaches this topic from two interconnected and pivotal perspectives: first, an exploration of the sources used by Herodotus in crafting his depiction of Egypt and an assessment of their credibility; secondly, an examination of how academic research has engaged with Book 2, oscillating between viewing it as a repository of insights into ancient Egypt and interpreting it merely as a reflection of the Greek perspective on the land of the Nile.