ASSIGNMENTS: Herodotus (Greek 4033) Fall, 2007
Professor Daniel B. Levine
University of Arkansas
SCROLL DOWN THIS PAGE TO SEE DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL ASSIGNMENTS FOR THIS COURSE
(SECRET WORD ASSIGNMENTS ARE AT THE BOTTOM)
Overview: Herodotus the Historian (Due August 27)
Read Carolyn Dewald's Introduction to Robin Waterfield's translation of The Histories and write what you consider to be her main points. Address the following:
1. · What exactly are the Histories, and what is Herodotus' purpose in writing them?
2. · What does Dewald say about the Histories as History?
3. · What are four of Herodotus' "Narrative Habits"?
4. · What are some of the underlying assumptions and patterns in the Histories?
5. · What controversies about Herodotus and his work does Dewald mention?
6. In your paper, please mention and explain at least five (5) Greek words which Dewald uses in her Introduction. What do they mean, and how do they help us to understand the author and his work?
Student Report Topics: Herodotus HISTORIES, Book I
Each student will give three reports to the class during the semester. Since we will be reading a good deal of Book 1, we will concentrate on material in that part of the Histories.
For each of the topics listed below, summarize on a handout (3 pages maximum length; five copies, please.) the information below, and present your findings to the class (How and Wells' commentary will be a good place to start).
1) What are the ancient sources which we must consult to research the subject? (Include literary, historical, mythological, and epigraphic, numismatic, and other archaeological sources, when relevant.)
2) What differences are there between Herodotus' account in Book I and these other sources? That is, to what extent are the other sources at variance with, in accord with, or dependent upon Herodotus' account in Book I?
3) Assess the reliability of Herodotus' Book I account vis à vis the other source(s).
4) Does Herodotus tell us what source(s) he uses for his information on the subject? If so, does he assess the reliability of the sources?
Maximum class time for reports: 25 minutes.
Topics
(each student will choose three)
1) Solon of Athens 2) Croesus of Lydia 3) Gyges of Lydia 4) King Midas of Phrygia
5) Arion of Methymna 6) Periander of Corinth 7) Cleobis and Biton of Argos 8) Cyrus the Great of Persia
9) Pisistratus of Athens 10) Lycurgus of Sparta 11) Thales of Miletus 12) Lydian origin of Etruscans
13) Deioces the Mede 14) Harpagus the Mede 15) Queen Nitocris of Babylon 16) Queen Tomyris the Massagete
Reports will begin in class Friday, 31 August. Check the Schedule of Classes to see what days student reports will be given.
Report Schedule:
August 31 Keenan
September 10 James
September 21 Geoff
September 24 Z
October 05 Keenan
October 08 James
October 19 Geoff
October 26 Z
November 02 Keenan
November 09 James
November 16 Geoff
November 19 Z
Questions and Quotations for Class Discussion
Students will read all of Herodotus in English, and we will discuss each book according to the schedule of assignments. In order to prepare for these discussions, students will bring five copies of a handout to class (maximum, two pages). These handouts will include:
1. At least five questions based on the book under discussion, along with answers to the questions.
2) At least three quotations from the book under discussion, with a short (1-2 paragraph) explanation of what each quotation tells us about Herodotus and/or the ancient world. Basically, I am looking for the significance of the quotation you choose.
Students will hand in nine of these assignments, on the day of the discussion of each. We will use student questions and quotations as the basis of our discussion. these discussions will last for approximately half of the class period (25 minutes), unless we need more time.
Due Dates:
Book 1: 31 August
Book 2: 10 September
Book 3: 21 September
Book 4: 05 October
Book 5: 19 October
Book 6: 26 October
Book 7: 09 November
Book 8: 19 November
Book 9: 30 November
Students will receive words to explain to the class in short (3 minute) presentations at the beginning of class. Students presenters will write Greek words on the board, and will help the class determine the English words upon which they are based. Students will give etymologies of several of these "Secret Words" on each examination. The Professor will post words on the website as they are revealed...