76 HERODOTUS. [CHAP. nowhere methodically introduced into it, in consequence of which important places and countries, concerning which he could hardly have failed to possess valuable information, are but slightly noticed in his pages, because his History was not directly concerned with them. Thus the mention of the native kingdoms in Italy, about which any intelligence would be welcome to us, is almost confined to passing references to the naval power of the Tyrrhenians, though the writer must have had it in his power to communicate much more than this, since the later part of his life was spent in Magna Graecia. Still, Herodotus' work was designedly episodical, and in this way room was found for digressions relating to general geography, to the shapes of continents and the courses of rivers and mountain chains, to climatic influences, to the products of the soil and objects of commerce, i Above all, he was especially attracted by a branch of research which lies intermediate between the study of geography and that of history—the investigation of the various tribes that inhabited the countries of which he treated, with their physical characteristics, and their manners and customs. The facts which are thus brought together form a rich store, from which the materials for a more complete and .systematic treatment of the subject may be gleaned, and the geographical notices are seldom uninteresting, because they are combined with illustrative remarks, such as an observant traveller can make. ~~~ Of the life of Herodotus few details have come down to us. His Life We know» however, that he was born at Hali- carnassus early in the fifth century before Christ, and that in middle life he removed to Athens; afterwards, though from what motive we are not told, he joined the colony which was sent out from Athens to Thurii in South Italy in 443 u.c. There is reason also to suppose that he revisited Athens at a later time, for in one part of his History he implies that he had seen the Propykea of the Acropolis1, and that building was not completed until the commencement of the Peloponnesian war. The greater part of his work was probably written before he migrated to Thurii, but various indications shew that he completed and 1 5-77; speaking of a votive offering which was dedicated to Pallas by the Athenians, he says—ri 8* dpicrrepft xcp&i ?