How to Hunt the Crocodile: An Investigation into the Significance of Descriptive Information in Herodotus’ History

What constitutes history? Is it the recounting of great battles, heroic deeds and exceptional individuals? Or is it the documentation of our everyday lives to be preserved for posterity? In his Histories, Herodotus seems to argue for both. Yet what exactly is the value of documenting the latter type - such as the correct method with which to hunt a crocodile? This essay will investigate the significance of this type of descriptive information, and why it ought to be preserved for all time.