Herodotus II

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.

By the way, two ID's for the midterm are HERODOTUS STORY I, and HERODOTUS STORY II. You will be able to use any Herodotus story you choose for these ID's.

Herodotus--Discussion I (Tentative due date: September 29)

Please read as much of you can of Books I and II of Herodotus' Persian War. Concentrate especially on Sections 1-14 of Book I and Sections 10-27, 123-131, 160, and 174 of Book II.

Suppose that, instead of looking for a poet, Zeus and Dionysius were trying to find a great historian to bring back with them to Olympus. Cite a story or two from Herodotus showing why he might be a good candidate for the spot, and explain how this material shows Herodotus' strengths as a historian. If you're not impressed with Herodotus, cite a passage that shows why he ought to be left in Hades.

Sparta (extra credit)

Plutarch's Life of Lycurgus, a work written more than 500 years after the time of Lycurgus, isn't a terribly reliable source, but it at least reflects what many of the Greeks thought about the earliest days of Sparta and the great Spartan law giver.  The abridged version here is well worth the 10 or fifteen minutes it will take you to read.  However, to get a better picture of Sparta, you should also read this Sparta Reconsidered article.

Comment on either of these two sources here, noting what the source suggests is unusual in Spartan society and why that unusual feature may have well suited Spartan need.  If you comment on both linked selections, please put your responses in separate comments: you'll get extra credit for both.

 

 

Iliad--Discussion III

For Tuesday's class, please read the final chapters of the Iliad (Books XVIII-XXIV).  I would suggest you read this excellent (and short) summary of the Iliad first. You can then concentrate on finding evidence to address the following prompt rather than trying to figure out the story line.

Christians and Jews turn to the Bible as a source of comfort in difficult circumstances: "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." Does Homer offer any similar consolation? Are there key lines here showing how one can/should face loss, fear, death, and destruction?

Iliad--Discussion II

Please read as much as you can of Books VII-XVII. If you like, you may skim over the descriptions of the actual fighting. These scenes are exciting (and important), but it's not essential for you to try to follow the ebb and flow of the battles: I'll summarize that for you in class. Books 9,14,15, and 16 are probably the most helpful in giving you material for your potential exam essay.

As you read through this material, note especially the attempts to mend the relationship between Agamemnon and Achilles, the very odd scene between Zeus and Hera, and Zeus' lament about fate.

For the blog, choose one incident/passage  from these books that reminds you of something in the Bible or that differs substantially from the kind of thing one might expect to find in a Bible.

Iliad--Discussion I

Homer's works were in some ways the closest thing the Greeks had to a Bible. If one wanted authoritative teaching about the gods and about their dealings with mankind, one turned to Homer. Passages culled from the Iliad and the Odyssey served as "proof texts" for any point one might try to make. Likewise, Homer's writings were also the starting point for later "inspired" writers--the poets and playwrights of ancient Greece. But Homer's works are a very strange sort of Bible, and it's not always easy to say exactly what his religious views were.

Please read the Iliad study questions on the syllabus, and then as much of you can of Books I-VI. Cite here a line or incident that shows how the Iliad is like a Bible or how it makes a very strange "Bible."

Brek-ek-ek-ek-coax-coax.