Fate and Gods in Herodotus' The Histories

Fate and Gods in Herodotus' The Histories

Fate of the Gods
A person cannot be considered happy until they have died happy. This is what Solon says when Croesus asks for the identity of the happiest man in the world. Herodotus’ The Histories often focuses on the changes throughout a person’s life. Yet at the same time argues for the inescapable fate of all beings. This duality emphasizes the hierarchy of destiny over gods, and gods over mortals. So while a person’s fortune is variable the submission to destiny is constant.
A mortal is inescapably prone to chance. A person could be lucky and happy and then have an unforeseeable turn events change his or her state of being. “man is entirely a creature of chance.” (15) Solon sates when defining happiness. He emphasizes the importance of dying happy; for a person’s state of being is unpredictable and death is the only was to end that change. For until death “he [man] is not happy, but only lucky.” (16).   The unpredictability is also portrayed in Croseus’ life. He rules as a king, is defeated, almost dies, and then becomes his successors’ advisor. Herodotus gives the reader several clear statements explaining the cycle of fortune and misfortune that is inescapable for mortals. He states, Human life is like a revolving wheel and never allows the same people to continue long in prosperity.” (90). This being said the reader can imply conclude that prosperity is considered transitory for mortals.
This luck is often ascribed to the gods’ intervention: “often enough God gives a man a glimpse of happiness and then utterly ruins him.” (16). Therefore gods exert a monumental influence over the lives of mortals. They have the power to create or to destroy a man or woman’s life. This point is reiterated in solon’s comment to Croesus, “I know God is envious of human prosperity and likes to trouble us.” (15).   In the battle occurrences are also credited to divine intervention: “From what happened next they were forced to the conclusion that the hand of God was in the...