Herodotus and the Story of Gyges: Traditional Motifs in Historical Narrative

doi:10.1515/fabl.2004.010

Published by De Gruyter January 23, 2006

Herodotus and the Story of Gyges: Traditional Motifs in Historical Narrative

From the journal Fabula

https://doi.org/10.1515/fabl.2004.010

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This paper suggests that the Greek historian Herodotus constructed his account of Gyges ascent to the Lydian throne by using narrative motifs drawn from both the Greek and nonGreek storytelling traditions. These motifs serve to introduce a number of themes that are basic to his work as a whole, including the image of the eastern despot, the characteristics of the tyrant, and the dramatic nature of historical events.

Published Online: 2006-01-23

Published in Print: 2004-03-04

Herodotus and the Story of Gyges: Traditional Motifs in Historical Narrative

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