Xanthus (historian)

Xanthus of Lydia (Greek: Ξάνθος Λυδός) was an ancient Greek historian and mythographer, believed to have lived in the 5th century BCE. He is considered one of the earliest known historians of Lydia, and his writings served as a primary source for later historians, including Herodotus.

While none of Xanthus's complete works survive today, fragments are preserved in the writings of other authors, such as Nicolaus of Damascus, Athenaeus, and Clement of Alexandria. These fragments suggest that Xanthus's historical work, likely titled Lydiaca, covered the history, customs, and mythology of Lydia, a region in western Anatolia. He appears to have documented the reigns of Lydian kings, including figures like Gyges and Croesus, and recounted local myths and legends.

Scholarly assessments of Xanthus are mixed. Some consider him a valuable, albeit limited, source on early Lydian history, while others view his accounts as unreliable or embellished with myth and folklore. The fragmentary nature of his surviving writings makes it difficult to fully evaluate his historical accuracy and methodology. Nevertheless, Xanthus remains a significant figure in the historiography of Lydia, representing an early attempt to document the history and culture of this ancient civilization. His work, despite its limitations, provides glimpses into a world otherwise largely lost to time.