I. Who is Herodotus’s intended audience? Why was it written?
A. His intended audience was the Greeks.
B. It was written to tell the story of the Pelopensisan War
C. Written to cover the conquests of Cyrus as he takes over much of the known world by ruling the Persian Empire.
D. Herodotus was half Greek and half Persian
E. He intended his work to undermine Hellenic ethnocentricity -- to open the Greek mind to to the rich diversity of the surrounding world and to make his fellow Hellenes Aware that theirs was not the only way of viewing the World
F. He wrote this so the action s of people shall not fade with time, so that the great and admirable moments produced by both Greeks and barbarians shall not go un-renowned, and among other things, to set forth the reasons why they waged war on each other.
II. Is Herodotus’s narrative believable? Yes? No? Depends? Give examples concerning your position.
A. Yes, it is a primary source.
B. He fought in the war, he interviewed people, and was written in first hand accounts.
III. Pride figures prominently at various points in Herodotus’s narrative. What is he trying to tell his reader about pride? Use appropriate examples.
A. He held the Greek belief that pride goes before the inevitable fall.
B. Pride will ultimately end in one’s demise.
IV. Luck figures prominently at various points in Herodotus’s narrative. What is he trying to tell his reader about luck?
A. He had a caution not to pronounce people lucky until their lives have run their full course is also firmly grounded in Greek thinking
V. How does Herodotus view the Persian people? Discuss their politics, customs, and society. Do you think he is accurate?
A. He appreciated their cultures and values
B. He loved them, was called a barb-lover
C. He liked their Monarchy
VI. How does Herodotus view the Egyptians? Discuss how he understands their relationship to the Greeks. How do you think his