'Herodotus' Histories Vol 2' Summary

Book IV (Melpomene)

• The history of the Scythians (from the land north of the Black Sea)
• The miraculous poet Aristeas
• The geography of Scythia
• The inhabitants of regions beyond Scythia: Sauromatae, Budini, Thyssagetae, Argippaeans, Issedones, Arimaspi, Hyperboreans
• A comparison of Libya (Africa), Asia, and Europe
• The rivers of Scythia: the Ister, the Tyras, the Hypanis, the Borysthenes, the Panticapes, the Hypacyris, the Gerrhus, and the Tanais
• The culture of the Scythians: religion, burial rites, xenophobia (the stories of Anacharsis and Scylas), population (sections 59-81)
• The beginning of Darius's attack on Scythia, including the pontoon bridge over the Bosphorus
• The brutal worship of Zalmoxis by the Getae
• The customs of the surrounding peoples: Tauri, Agathyrsi, Neuri, Androphagi (man-eaters), Melanchlaeni, Geloni, Budini, Sauromatae
• The wooing of the Amazons by the Scyths, forming the Sauromatae
• Darius's failed attack on Scythia and consequent retreat
• The story of the Minyæ (descendants of the Argonauts) and the founding of Cyrene
• The kings of Cyrene: Battus I, Arcesilaus I, Battus II, Arcesilaus II, Battus III (and the reforms of Demonax), Arcesilaus III (and his flight, restoration, and assassination), Battus IV, and Arcesilaus IV (his revolt and death)
• The peoples of Libya from east to west
• The revenge of Arcesilaus' mother Pheretima