The Battle of Mycale (479 BC). A Fitting Climax to Herodotus’ History or Just a Brawl on the Beach?

Abstract

In their Commentary to Herodotus’ History, How and Wells (1912) comment that the ‘Story of Mycale given in H. evades detailed criticism by its slightness’ (Volume 2, 395). The other major source for information, Diodorus, also offers no more than cursory treatment of this military engagement (See Green, 2006). The superficial coverage in the ancient literature is then reflected in the evident lack of interest of modern studies in their brief assessments of the battle. Considering the very clear literary construction in Herodotus’ account (see Flower and Marincola, 2002) of what is universally regarded as a historical event, there has been too little consideration of the problems evident from a close inspection of the narrative. Moreover, since the works of Herodotus and Diodorus differ in the information they contain it is possible, as a result of a comparative reading of the texts, to advance new ideas about Mycale, the prelude to this event and of its aftermath.