Please skim Books 3 and 7 of Herodotus' Histories. You might find particularly helpful Book III, Section 80 and Book VII, Sections 10-20, 28, 35, 51, 61, 135 and 140.We've agreed that a good history should be interesting--and, occasionally, funny as well. From these sections, pick out a Herodotus story that seems to you to be particularly interesting or particularly amusing. Explain why you like this particular story.
Remembers that the midterm study guide lists HERODOTUS STORY I, HERODOTUS STORY II, HERODOTUS STORY III, and HERODOTUS STORY IV as potential ID's. As you read through the material, be sure to look for Herodotus stories you can use for these ID's They should be stories that either show Herodotus' strengths or weaknesses as a historian.
I find the part about the phantom that spoke to Xerxes and Artabanus particularly interesting. The embellishing that Herodotus adds to fill in the gaps makes the story intensely interesting to read. It makes me wonder if the story is a metaphor or legend created to explain how Xerxes changed his mind instead of there being an actual claim that a phantom visited. The way Herodotus writes it makes the story sound like a part of a novel. I very much like the way he makes all the parts of the story come together. I also appreciate the language Herodotus uses when he writes out Artabanus’ speech and the other dialogues and explanations. The language he uses is so smooth and it seems realistic. Together his good use of language and the way he writes stories within the overall story makes for an interesting read.
ReplyDeleteSection 80 of Book III was particularly interesting to me. In this section, some Persian leaders are discussing the best form of government. The debate is between Otanes and Megabyzus, with Otanes advocating for democracy and Megabyzus advocating for Oligarchy. The most interesting thing about their respective arguments was how modern they feel. In high school I read a few of the federalist papers, and the arguments presented by Otanes and Megabyzus are incredibly similar to those documents.
ReplyDeleteWhile arguing against monarchy, Otanes says, "Even the best of men raised to such a position would be bound to change for the worst." While arguing against monarchy, many modern thinkers said that "absolute power corrupts absolutely."
Megabyzus provides a similarly modern take on why democracy won't work. He says, "The masses are a feckless lot - nowhere will you find more ignorance or irresponsibility or violence." Even some of the American founding fathers warned against the irresponsibility of the people, and how they aren't capable of making important governmental decisions.
The first section I'm going to mention is for my own enjoyment. Found in Book III sections 71-72. Otanes is responding to Darius' desire to hunt down and kill the Magus right away to reclaim the throne for Persia. Otanes gets a little long winded and Darius basically tells him that he talks too much. I got a chuckle out of that. This was pure political banter that seemed to liven up a seemingly dreary deliberation.
ReplyDeleteThe Second part that I found interesting and really quite admirable was also in Book III but was in sections 74-75. The Magi were attempting to get Prexaspes to proclai to the Persians that Smerdis was the king. The catch was, per his agreement with the Magi who had deceived the Persians, Prexaspes couldn't tell the Persians about the hoax of the Magi on the Persians. So the Magi summon the persians, and Prexaspes, from the top of the tower, "ignores" the Magi and tells the Persians the truth after which, he throws himself from the tower committing suicide. I found this to be very powerful. Prexaspes seems to be haunted by the deception and his killing of Smerdis. He just couldn't live with himself anymore. Some might say this was purely selfish to not face consequences of his actions, but it's almost poetic. If he doesn't tell the truth the deceptive Magi may never get caught. I enjoyed this story.
-Jonathon Fargher
I also liked Book III, because Darius I is a playable faction in the Civilization games so I have a little background knowledge. I'm also big into politics, and I like the discussion around which form of governance would be best, it sounds similar to discussions in 18th century revolutions like our own, albeit with different outcome. I think that some of the stories between Cambyses' death and into discussion of Ethopia or India get increasingly unrealistic and misinformed. You can tell where his history is closer to home and context, and when it is just hearsay. The story of how Darius wins the horse neighing contest in order to become king is gross. Also I think it's funny how they decide against an oligarchy as a means to governing and then set up a government that takes its kings and lineages from the 7 conspirators themselves. The talks about the Indians' desert dwelling super ants is just weird and out of place, but amusing still.
ReplyDeleteIn looking at outside sources there is a lot that corroborates Herodotus' stories, but there is a lot that is mistaken. For instance, he claims there are two Magi that usurped Cambyses - but it was just one person - Herodotus mistakes the title and the name of the man as two separate people (Patizeithes is the Greek translation of the local term "Patikhshayathya" which means governor, whereas Bardiya was what he called himself.) However he gets almost all of the names of the conspirators correct, and the one he's mistaken on is most likely because of (and proof of) a Persian to Greek translator.
One story or tale that Herodotus tells is of the nation of bald people in Book 4 sections 23-24. Men and women at birth are born bald with snub noses and long chins, speaking a peculiar language. These people live off of fruit, especially a type of cherry. They live under trees and herd a little number of sheep. They are supposedly protected by some sort of sanctity so they carry no arms and no body offers them violence. They also work as mediators for their neighbors and anyone else who seeks asylum amongst them. They are the Argippaei.
ReplyDeleteIn Book IV section 28 Herodotus describes a cold merciless place that resembles hell freezing over or just South Dakota nine months out of the year. This section describes South Dakota to a T. The climate in the winter and the summer is almost spot on, but the thunderstorms here vary depending on the temperature in the air. I also like the part of the story where the two rivalries duke it out on the sea. This reminds me of the winter war (between Russia and Finland) and the siege of Leningrad where they transported supplies for the cities by truck on Lake Ladoga.
ReplyDeleteMitchell Buller
I found the story in sections 34-35 of Chapter VII to be particularly amusing and interesting. Here, Herodotus describes how the bridge that the Persians built to cross the Hellespont was destroyed by a storm. The interesting part, however, is how Xerxes supposedly reacts to this. According to Herodotus, Xerxes orders the river to receive three hundred lashes because the bridge he had built was destroyed. I find this particularly interesting because this story, as embellished by Herodotus as it seems, most likely has some basis to it. Along with the overall seriousness of the subject, this also serves as a sort of comic relief due to just the sheer absurdity of the situation. I feel that it also helps to show the perceived view of the Persians and their customs by the Greeks, which helps to show the position from which Herodotus is telling these stories.
ReplyDelete-Sam Tucker
i also found the sections 34-35 of Chapter VII to be quite amusing. Xerxes behavior towards the river reminds me of when the roman emperor Caligula went to war with the sea itself. there are other sources to prove that Xerxes did build a bridge across the Hellespont out of old barges with the genius of Egyptian engineers he brought with him. Herodotus's writing is as fascinating as Shakespeare so far, but more fact than fiction.
ReplyDeleteSection 79 of book III. This is the story of the Magi being decapitated by the Confederates and them running into the streets with therir heads celebrating. Herodotus includes violence throughout the book, but this story really stuck out to me as it was very detailed. Also, it had a great back story as it known as the red letter day in Persia. There is a festival on the killing of the Magi and no member of the Magus tribe is allowed to come outside. I really like the evidence here and believe this story 100% based off what I read.
ReplyDeleteClayton Grueneich