The History of Herodotus focuses on the Greco-Persian war, looking at its causes, events, and effects. As you prepare your timeline for this work, you should look at the events that Herodotus chooses to emphasize. Let's go through some of them to get you started.

As you approach the work, you should look closely at the primary topic of each “book” and choose timeline events accordingly. The first book tells of Croesus of Lydia and of the Assyrian and Persian empires. Choose some key events from those stories. The second book turns to Egypt and Africa and concentrates primarily on the culture there. In the third book, you could mention Cambyses’s conquest and Darius’s efforts.

In book 4, you should speak of Darius’s failed invasion of Scythia and the Persia invasion of Libya. Pay close attention to book 5, for it contains several important events for your timeline. Focus especially on Sparta and Athens and the conflict between Darius and Athens.

The story continues in book 6. Definitely include the Battle at Marathon from this book. The death of Darius and rise of Xerxes is described in book 7. Pay attention to the union between Athens and Sparta, the Persian shipwreck, and Thermopylae. The battles continue in book 8, and you should make note of them. The Greek victories form the heart of book 9, and these, too, are worthy of your timeline.