1: Herodotus

Question 1

What were Greeks also known as?

Answer 1

Hellenes.

Question 2

Where did Hellenes originate from?

Answer 2

Hellas.

Question 3

What does Herodotus suggest that makes Greeks, Greeks?

Answer 3

Similarities in language, religion + culture.

Question 4

Where did Greeks occupy in ancient times?

Answer 4

Anywhere along the Mediterranean coast.

Question 5

What was a Polis?

Answer 5

A city state.

Question 6

Give 3 examples of vital Poleis.

Answer 6

Athens, Sparta and Corinth.

Question 7

What is the plural term for Polis?

Answer 7

Poleis.

Question 8

Comment on the size of Poleis.

Answer 8

They vary dramatically in size.

Question 9

Who was Herodotus?

Answer 9

The 1st true Greek historian.

Question 10

What are the other names for Herodotus?

Answer 10

Father of History or Father of Lies.

Question 11

Who gave Herodotus one of his nicknames?

Answer 11

Cicero

Question 12

Why did Herodotus claim his purpose was for writing his histories?

Answer 12

to make sure that the great things achieved by man, was not forgotten by the passage of time.

Question 13

What did Herodotus’ Histories largely cover?

Answer 13

The Persian-Greek conflicts between 546-479 BC

Question 14

When was Herodotus writing?

Answer 14

c. 430 BC

Question 15

Name 2 ‘lies’ Herodotus tells.

Answer 15

The King of Persia’s ‘giant gold-digging ants’

Sheep with tails so long the shepherds have to make mini carts for them.

Question 16

Who explains the ‘giant gold-digging ant’ story?

Answer 16

Peissel, a 1990’s French Ethnographer.

Question 17

What animal may the ‘giant gold-digging ants’ really be?

Answer 17

Himalayan Marmots,

Question 18

Name 2 breeds of sheep which may be related t the ones which Herodotus talks about.

Answer 18

Awassi and Karaman.

Question 19

Where do these amazing sheep originate from?

Answer 19

Arabia.

Question 20

Where does Herodotus come from?

Answer 20

Halicarnassus.

Question 21

Did Herodotus actually visit all the places in which he talks about?

Answer 21

Probably not, it would have taken far too long.

Question 22

What is the story about Smerdis that Herodotus tells?

Answer 22

In Persia, Cyrus the king dies, leaving his empire to his mad son, Cambyses. He bad, kills brother Smerdis. Dies. Magi put imposter of throne called Smerdis, no ears.

Question 23

What journey does Cambyses go on?

Answer 23

A metaphorical one from Hubris to Nemesis.

Question 24

What does Cambyses do that probably leads to his death?

Answer 24

Kills the Apis bull and then his brother.

Question 25

Why did Cambyses kill his brother?

Answer 25

He had a nightmare that Smerdis would take over his kingdom.

Question 26

How does imposter Smerdis get discovered?

Answer 26

His wife discovered his lack of ears.

Question 27

When did the debate after fake Smerdis’ is overthrown take place?

Answer 27

c. 520 BC

Question 28

What is the big problem with the debate of 520 BC in Herodotus’ Histories?

Answer 28

Democracy had yet to be invented by the Greeks.

Question 29

How did the Persians choose a new king in Herodotus’ text?

Answer 29

Race their horses to the rising sun, whoever horse neighs 1st wins.

Question 30

Who cheats and wins the crown in Herodotus’ tale of Smerdis?

Answer 30

Darius.

Question 31

What evidence of the truth of Herodotus’ tale of Smerdis do we have?

Answer 31

An account by Darius himself, on the side of a mountain. Its pretty much exactly what Herodotus says.

Question 32

What are the problems with using Herodotus as a source?

Answer 32

He often mistranslated things.
He relied on 2nd + 3rd hand information - Chinese whispers
Exaggerated tales?