This classic selection, drawn from the whole of Herodotus' work has been frequently set for GCSE, and used as a first prose text for early Greek learners. It presents a selection of typically anecdotal 'history' from Herodotus, and a useful introduction to the versatility and variety of his writings: historical narrative in the Battle of Salamis; curious anecdote in Arion and the dolphin; anthropological research in Egypt, Arabia and Scythia. At the same time, it makes Herodotus readily accessible to the beginner.

Herodotus' Ionic dialect has been changed into the Attic Greek which will be familiar to early language learners. Notes, full vocabulary and an index of proper names are provided to suit the student at that stage.