Persian War

Military History

By: William Shepherd

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Hardcover | 28 November 2019 | Edition Number 1

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The victory of a few Greek city-states over the world's first superpower was an extraordinary military feat that secured the future of western civilization.

All modern accounts of the war as a whole, and of Marathon, Thermopylae and Salamis, the best-known battles, depend on the ancient sources, foremost amongst them Herodotus, but generally quote very little from them. This is the first book to bring together Herodotus' entire narrative and interweave it with other ancient voices to present the original texts that comprise almost all that is known about this immense clash of arms.

About the Author

William Shepherd studied classics at Clare College, Cambridge, in the 1960s and then embarked on a career in publishing which finally brought him to Osprey, where he retired as chief executive in 2007. He is author of The Persian War (Cambridge, 1982), translated from Herodotus. He has also written reading books for children and articles in the Osprey Military Journal, of which he was joint editor, and makes regular contributions to the Osprey blog. He lives in the Cherwell Valley, north of Oxford.

Industry Reviews

Distinguished military historian of the Persian Wars William Shepherd [...] shows himself to be also a most sensitive interpreter of those Wars' original historian Herodotus. With Shepherd as our guide and Herodotus by our side this key moment in West-East relations is given its full cultural and strategic due. * PAUL CARTLEDGE, A.G. LEVENTIS SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW OF CLARE COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE *
The bulk of the book closely follows Herodotus' narrative, combining translated passages (these are very well done) with accurate precis of the intervening narrative. Flesh and muscle to these mighty bones are added in two ways: first, by texts from other sources which enlarge on Herodotus' account, and second by discussions of the historical problems which have kept scholars arguing for over 2000 years.... It is not easy to combine the words of Herodotus with other ancient sources and personal commentary, but S. does so masterfully, without overloading or confusing the reader. S.'s judgement too about what to comment on is also sure.... Finally, it all adds up to an exciting, highly informative and also very enjoyable read: S. writes with clarity and verve. The bargain of the year at the price, this book should find its way into the hands of all schools, universities and lovers of Herodotus. S. has done the ancient world's most appealing historian proud. -- Peter Jones * Classics for All *
Both extracts - Herodotus, Shepherd - are engagingly direct, and so it is throughout the entire account. From the point of view of the general reader, here is a deeply fascinating story, and a splendidly readable book. -- Michael Rodgers * Valley News *
A scholarly yet highly readable volume combining ancient history with modern research into the modes and methods of classical warfare on both land and sea -- Robert Guttman * Historynet *
The Persian War, In Herodotus and Other Ancient Voices is a very good read for anyone interested in the period, and a particularly good introduction to these events for the novice. * StrategyPage *

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