Greek historian, geographer; one of the first scholars to recognize
variation in
humans, and to describe peoples according to physical characteristics (Historiae, Book IX: 191).
Observed that land is shaped by
water that may have once covered the earth; postulated that Europe, Asia and Africa are separate
continents. In some
cases he was a fabulist and recorded hearsay, myths, and
traditions. Bachofen and other
anthropologists used the material compiled by
Herodotus.