[Herodotus2010] Next and Final Conference Call on Mon Apr 4

[Andre Stipanovic]

Hi Herodotus readers,
Our final discussion will take place on Mon Apr 4 @8pm EST.  Now that we
are veterans of Herodotus' style and artistry up through seven of his
Books, these concluding Books (8 & 9), should flow.  You may have noticed
quite a change in narrative style since the first books.  The closer that
Herodotus takes his audience to events more contemporary to his own time,
the more an historical narrative begins to emerge that we can recognize
similar to our own.  Herodotus still manages to insert his famous
digressions, but the politics and the social issues tend to come out more
in these last chapters.  Persia is never completely out of the picture
either.  Persia's defeat does not remove it from Greek foreign (or
domestic!) policy.  Let me know what you think.  I have included our
discussion questions once again below.  Also, make note of Robert
Strassler's upcoming lecture on Tue May 10, "Herodotus and the Invention
of History" @1pm EST.  If you can attend this event, you might get to ask
a question of the genius behind the Landmark series himself!
Sincerely,
Andre

Herodotus Discussion Questions for Books 8 & 9
1.  In Book 8.40-65, Herodotus narrates the momentous conference of Greek
leaders as they debate whether to fight the Persians at sea near Salamis,
or to defend the Peloponnese by at the Isthmus of Corinth, a natural
defense.  Has Herodotus embellished the decision to fight at Salamis in
view of the victory?  Was it the best decision even if the Greeks had
lost?  Was it really the only option for the Greeks at this point?

2.  Given Xerxes’ stubbornness and dedication to invading Greece, what
are some of the factors that lead to his personal withdrawal from the war
after the battle of Salamis (book 8)?  What other options should he have
considered?

3.  In one of the most astounding reversals in military history, the
Battle of Plataea (book 9) resulted in a resounding Greek victory.  What
is the interplay between Athens and Sparta in the events leading up to
this battle?  How had the battle affected relations afterwards between
Athens and Sparta?  What can Herodotus tell us about the Greek city-states
in general at this time before his Histories abruptly end?

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