Herodotus/Persia Flashcards
What important plot did Herodotus cover in book 3 of his histories?
The accession to the throne of Darius, with the death of Cambyses and the pretender of Smerdis to the throne.
What is controversial about the accession of Darius?
The story that Smerdis was killed by Cambyses and replaced by a fake who supposedly ruled the empire for months before Darius completed a coup. Many doubt the legitimacy of this story.
What is the Behistun inscription?
An inscription on rock which details Darius’ accession to the throne from his own perspective. He puts emphasis on different things than Herodotus, makes himself far more prominent in the story of the coup. Has been seen as unreliable due to being propaganda.
What feature of Smerdis gave him away as a fake according to Herodotus?
His lack of ears.
What core issues come up with Herodotus’ account of the Persian empire?
He may oppose anachronistic ideals on the Persian language and debates of the time, talking of democracy, monarchy, oligarchy when the Persians likely would not have had these concepts/terms. He also has an unreliability, he misses many core details and writes things that other sources have shown not to be true. Was living after the events took place so cannot quite be sure of the knowledge he posses and its accuracy. He would often focus on individuals rather than give an account of the full context.
Who are the two opposing forces in Herodotus’ account of the coup?
Darius and Otanes. Darius seen as a power hungry leader who argues for monarchy whilst Otanes is more Greek, arguing for democracy and being more of a rightful leader from a Greek perspective.
What argument did Darius use to show he had the right to rule the empire?
Claimed a divine right. Said he was of noble lineage.
How does Darius refer to the men who helped him in the coup and how does this compare to Herodotus?
Darius says they are his followers whilst Herodotus said that Darius was the last to join the group and took power by means of cheating.
Examples of Herodotus not matching up with other Persian sources.
Names on satrapy list not matching. Does not catalogue some nations. Describes Persian dress and costume incorrectly. Has features that seem pre-determined.
What features of Herodotus’ writing makes it seem like it is predetermined?
There are 67 nations in Herodotus’ account of Darius’ Empire. There are 67 contingents in Xerxes’ army, navy, and cavalry. And there are 67 commanders in the combined Greek and Trojan armies of the Iliad. What we have to contend with here is not coincidence but Catalogues, Greek Catalogues with themes and rules of their own which we have not yet begun to understand.
Why may we think Herodotus went against the grain of Persian thought?
He claimed that otanes argued for equality before the law and democracy, something that many Athenians believed the Persians were not capable of.
