Blog Archives

Favorite Herodotus stories?

Dear Herodotus fans, What are your favorite stories from Books 2 & 3? Reply with just a few words! I crack up when I read his Cat in the Hat version of Egyptian customs: “The Egyptians eat out in the street and go to the bathroom inside their hous… Continue reading

02. March 2007 by Arrian
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A question about dieties

Several times in Book Two Herodotus describes an Egyptian practice, but refuses to “name names”: p. 149 (132) “Once a year, at the festival on which Egyptians beat themselves in honour of that deity whom I must not name in this connexion…” p. 16… Continue reading

01. March 2007 by Arrian
Categories: Commentary, Herodotus | Tags: | 1 comment

Daniel Mendelsohn’s “The Lost…”

Daniel Mendelsohn, classicicst and professor of humanities at Bard, has written a beautiful, sad book that I strongly recommend each of us read. The book – The Lost: A Search for Six of Six Million – chronicles his lifelong quest to find his six r… Continue reading

28. February 2007 by Arrian
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Was Pythagoras a “has bean” or not?

According to How & Wells, many of Herodotus’ claims in these sections of Egyptian customs must be taken with a grain of salt. For instance, his generalizations are simply that, generalizations and not representative of all Egyptians (especially th… Continue reading

25. February 2007 by Arrian
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Schedule, edition for The Old Testament

We have started our long-awaited reading of The Old Testament. The schedule of calls is noted below. We’ll be reading The New Oxford Annotated Bible All calls are Tuesdays at 8pm NYC time at this call-in number 1-800-615-2900 11215 – Tuesday, Marc… Continue reading

23. February 2007 by Arrian
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Notes to start Herodotus

Dear all, I have attached some notes relating to our Introductory call and our book 1 discussion. Please look them over if you would like to get acquainted with what we have discussed so far on reading Herodotus and his basic aims. Andre Download … Continue reading

21. February 2007 by Arrian
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Questions for Books 2 & 3

Greetings fellow readers of Herodotus, As we read through Books 2 & 3, here are three questions to consider, which we will use to guide the discussion on Monday March 5. Think about these and any other questions you might have for our next discuss… Continue reading

20. February 2007 by Arrian
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Athens-Sparta Exhibit review

Folks, Pat Wictor, Shawn Budde and I went to the Athens-Sparta exhibt at the Onassis Cultural Center in NY, yesterday, Friday, February 16. We were all amazed by the quality of this small exhibit – there were a number of items that have either nev… Continue reading

18. February 2007 by Arrian
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Welcome, midstream orientation

Welcome new readers to our Herodotus reading group (currently in progress, Books 2 & 3)! For the new readers joining us now, we have set up a brief conference call – to orient you and help you join us midstream – for this coming Monday evening at … Continue reading

18. February 2007 by Arrian
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How are books 2 & 3 going?

Folks, Just wanted to do a quick check in. How are Books 2 and 3 going? Are you impressed with Herodotus’ AAA travel brochure for Greeks vacationing in Egypt? Perhaps you have a sudden inclination to watch the movie “The English Patient” again? Do… Continue reading

17. February 2007 by Arrian
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