Herodotous' histories.?

Question

I was wondering if anyone read the book "the histories" by Herodotus and if they know how my essay question reflects the book. and if you know of a strong thesis statement to start off my paper

here is my essay question:

To what degree are the historical figures in Herodotus responsible for their fate?

Answer 1

One example: King Croesus of Lydia sent offerings and a question to the oracle at Delphi: If I attack Persia, will I succeed? The oracle answered, "If Croesus attacks Persia, he will destroy a great empire." Croesus attacked Persia and was defeated. The empire he destroyed was his own.

Before that, Croesus had entertained Solon in Lydia, showing Solon hs riches, and asking, "Now, who is the happiest man whom you have ever known?" Solon gave answers about other obscure persons, then dead. Croesus was impatient. Solon rerplied, "Never ask of a man's happiness until you know how he died."

Cyrus of Persia captured Croesus and put his family and servants to death. Croesus related the saying of Solon to Cyrus at that moment.

Answer 2

Herodotus represented a revolution in history in that he did not describe events in terms of fate. The protagonists of his histories are indeed responsible for what happens to them, in the sense that their destinies is not pre-ordained by the Gods.