HECATAEUS OF MILETUS (6th-5th century B.e.), Greek historian and traveller, son of Hegesander, flourished dur ing the time of the Persian invasion. He tried to dissuade the Ionians from revolt against Persia, and (Herodotus v. 36, 125) in 494, when they were obliged to sue for terms, he was one of the ambassadors to the Persian satrap, whom he persuaded to restore the constitution of the Ionic cities (Diod. Sic. x. 25). He is by some credited with a geographical work entitled I'is irepiobos ("Travels round the Earth"), in two books, one on Europe, the other on Asia, the account of Egypt being especially comprehen sive ; the book was accompanied by a map, based upon that of Anaximander. The authenticity of the work is, however, strongly attacked by J. Wells in the Journal of Hellenic Studies (i gog ), xxix. pt. i. The only certainly genuine work of Hecataeus was the IFEVEriXoPyiae or `IuToptac, a systematic account of the traditions and mythology of the Greeks. He was probably the first to write a serious prose history and employ critical method to distinguish myth from fact, though he accepts Homer and the other poets as trustworthy authority. Herodotus, though he once at least (vi. 137) controverts his statements, is indebted to Hecataeus not only for facts, but also in regard to method and general scheme, but the extent of the debt depends on the genuineness of the Pis 'zrepio8os See fragments in C. W. Muller, Fragmenta historicorum Graecorum, i.; or F. Jacoby, Fragmente der griechischen Historiker (1923), i., where references in ancient authors are quoted. H. Berger, Geschichte der wissenschaftlichen Erdkunde der Griechen (19o3) ; E. H. Bunbury, History of Ancient Geography, i.; W. Mure, History of Greek Litera ture, iv.; H. Diels, Herodot and Hekataios in Hermes, 1887; especially J. V. Prasek, Hekataios als Herodots Quelle zur Geschichte Vor derasiens. Beitrage zur alten Geschichte (Klio) (igo4), iv. 193 seq., and J. Wells in Journ. Hell. Stud., as above, and in reply, Max Carey in J.H.S. xxx.