[Herodotus2010] Listen to the Herodotus Book I discussion online

[Andre Stipanovic]

Dear fellow readers,
Thanks for your participation and questions last night during our
discussion of Book I.  Because of your comments, I am looking at Herodotus
in a different way.  If you would like to listen to it, please go to:
http://showsupport.typepad.com/odyssey/2010/11/herodotus-book-i-november-15-2010-audio-recording.html

Look for study guide questions for Books 2 & 3 below, which we will use as
discussion anchor points on our next conference call scheduled for Monday
December 6.  Until then, share your thoughts and questions with us on
email and I look forward to our next discussion.
Sincerely,
Andre

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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