[curmudgeonII]

Contrary to popular belief, wasn't Herodotus [who has been labelled both as The father of History and The father of Liars ] a Carian?

[SunkenCiv]

He was from Halicarnassus I think (if not, then probably Miletus; I'm too lazy to look it up), so he may have had Carian ancestors, but he definitely considered himself Greek, and (I believe) spoke the Ionian dialect. He discusses the Carians and Caunians and Cretans in some detail. I believe it was Plutarch referred to Herodotus as "Father of Lies" as a refutation of Herodotus' ancient reputation as "Father of History". Herodotus dealt with the Persians in a pretty fair manner, which ticked off Plutarch. Herodotus also records that the Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf, Aqaba, and Red Sea are all one body of water, and furthermore, are one with the Atlantic. He records four different stories regarding the source of the Nile's water and out-of-season flood stage, including a howler he speculated himself, as well as the actual reason, which he says is the least likely of all. ;') He's a delight, and a rich source.

[SunkenCiv]

An additional reply...

Herodotus' Conception of Foreign Languages
Thomas Harrison
Durham Classics Department

It is probable that Herodotus could not read or speak any language other than Greek. We might have expected a Halicarnassian to have been able to understand Carian... Herodotus introduces the question of whether the Carian language derives from the Caunian or vice versa, but cannot settle it (1.172). A glance at the range of remarks made by Herodotus on other foreign languages shows, however, that there is nothing here to suggest a special knowledge or even a special interest in Carian. Nor can we merely take for granted from Herodotus' Carian background that he was able to understand the Carian language.