Britannica Sources used in this answer

Why did Herodotus include stories that he considered doubtful?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Herodotus Herodotus, detail of a Roman herm probably copied from a Greek original of the first half of the 4th century bce; in the National Archaeological Museum, Naples.

Herodotus, often called the "father of history," included stories he considered doubtful because he believed it was his professional duty to record the traditions of various peoples, regardless of their accuracy.12

Following the tradition of the logographers, Herodotus viewed his role as an inquirer who should document the diverse accounts and customs of the cultures he studied. While he was known for his narrative artistry and occasionally labeled certain tales—such as those regarding the hero Heracles—as "silly fables," he did not feel compelled to endorse every report he included. Instead, he sought to preserve these traditions as part of his broader effort to understand the causes of customs and events, even when those accounts were conflicting or myth-like in nature.123