Tom Holland

The bulk of what we know about the ancient world can be traced back to Herodotus’ Histories. Written in the fifth century BC, it was the first serious work of history to be produced in the West. Herodotus was the first historian known to have collected his materials systematically and tested their accuracy, yet he also drew on the Ionian folk tradition of oral storytelling and was inspired by the poetry of Homer. Tom Holland, bestselling author of Rubicon and Persian Fire, presents a fresh modern translation of the Histories, revealing Herodotus to be a curious, quirky and often very funny chronicler of his times.

Holland’s rendering of the Ancient Greek original is vibrant and refreshingly direct, and tonight he will provide us with a fascinating introduction to an under-appreciated figure who made a vital contribution to our story.