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Why did Herodotus travel to Egypt, Libya, and Babylonia?

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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," traveled extensively throughout the Persian Empire, including visits to Egypt, Libya, and Babylonia, to conduct research for his History of the Greco-Persian Wars.123

His travels were driven by a desire to record the traditions, customs, and historical accounts of various peoples. By visiting these regions, he could gather firsthand information and question local witnesses, such as the priests in Egypt, to compare their accounts and discern the causes of different customs and events. Herodotus sought to preserve the memory of human actions and record the "grounds of feud" between the Greeks and the barbarians, which he traced back to ancient conflicts. His work combined narrative artistry with an anthropological approach, aiming to prevent the great deeds of both Greeks and non-Greeks from losing their glory.2