[Herodotus2010] Herodotus Books 2 & 3 conference call reminder

[Andre Stipanovic]

Dear fellow readers,
Just a reminder that our next conference call is scheduled for Monday
December 6 @8pm EST.  If you haven't already emailed me, please let me
know if you are able to attend our next conference call by sending me a
quick RSVP.  Thanks and looking forward to talking with you all about the
wondrousness of Egypt and the transition in Persian leadership from
Cambyses to Darius.  As always, we want to hear what your favorite story
is (and there are plenty to pick from this time around).
Sincerely,
Andre

conference call phone #:   1 888 350 0075
conference code:               1100494#

Books 2 & 3 Discussion Questions
1.  Book 2 – Consider this remark:  “As Herodotus introduces his long
digression on Egypt with a reference to the conquest of the Greeks (c. I.
2), so he skillfully concludes with a similar reference.” (How & Wells,
p. 256)
How relevant is this comment to the Persians’ eventual invasion of
Greece?  Even with a satisfactory observation, one may still be wondering
‘what does Book 2 have to do with the Persian invasion of Greece?’ 
Thoughts?

2.  Let’s look at the claim of Herodotus’ Hellenocentric point of
view.  What do Herodotus’ observations tell about Herodotus as a Greek? 
Are his observations an attempt to re-define Egypt according to Greek
culture?  or is Herodotus too much influenced by Egyptian culture to make
accurate statements in his History?

3.  Book 3 – The rise and fall of Cambyses -  How does Herodotus measure
the sanity of Cambyses?  How does Cambyses take advice and counsel in
comparison with his precedessor Cyrus?  What does Herodotus mean by
“custom is king of all” (3.38.4)?

4.  Book 3 – The rise of Darius - How should we view the transfer of
power from Cambyses to Darius?  Is this a monarchy?  despotism?  tyranny? 
oligarchy?

5. Book 3 – Darius and Democedes (3.129) – What does this story show
about Darius’ encounter with the Greeks?  What does this story have to
do with the story that ends Book 3, i.e. Zopyrus and the fall of Babylonia
to Darius?


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