Primary Source Analysis: The History Of Herodotus

A Mesopotamian creation story that was very popular in Persia was The Epic of Gilgamesh. If a fellow Athenian were to have

Cleomenes had made unreasonable decisions, like overthrowing the position of the co-reigning Spartan king, Demaratos, in order to secure military backing from Leotychidas. Cleomenes stood by the pact he made with Leotychidas, even if it meant he had to bribe the Pythia at Delphi in order to remove Demaratos from power, which was unthinkable. Sparta’s archrival, Argos, at one point, was about to be taken over, however Cleomenes had a vision, maybe he was delusional, at the Temple of Hera that somehow convinced him that he should not take

Finally, the third source, once again from Herodotus’ histories, book 9 extract 60 describes the battle of Plataea and

Much of Athenian life and politics was based on stories of Athenian history. These historical events shaped the way and life of Athenian actions. Yet what happens when the histories that become integral aspects of Athens are based on inaccuracies? The history of Harmodius and Aristogeiton and the impact that it had on Athens was so deep that it led to the catastrophe that was the trials surrounding the defacement of the statues of Hermes. However, Athenian misunderstanding of the situation brings into question the legitimacy of Athenian democracy as a whole, something Thucydides uses his retelling of Harmodius and Aristogeiton to convey.

The accounts of the defeat of Babylon from Herodotus and the Cyrus Cylinder are polar opposite, one defeat is through attack while the other is a peaceful take over. Herodotus’ version indicates that Cyrus was led by a need for power, Herodotus writes that after “having subdued the rest of the continent, [Cyrus] turned his attention to Assyria” (78). In Herodotus’ account, after Cyrus spent an entire summer “punishing” a river, he was met with Babylonians awaiting his arrival, and they “attacked him, but they were defeated and forced to retire inside their defences” (83). In order to concur Babylon, Cyrus manipulated Euphrates, allowing his troops to capture the outskirts “without the people in the centre knowing anything about it” (Herodotus 84). Herodotus’ version also states that the people of Babylon were happy before Cyrus invaded the city, they were celebrating during a festival and “continued to dance and enjoy themselves, until they learned the news the hard way” (84).

Introduction. Greek mythological heroes, and Roman mythological heroes share similar trades, however are different in many ways. These similarities and differences can be identified when looking at the means for the creation of a hero, and a hero’s life. This essay will discuse the similarities and differences in Roman and Greek heroes by anylysing the primary and secondary sources they feuture in respectively. Firstly will context be given, secondly the secondary sources in which the heroes feature, and lastly the spefic Greek and Roman hero will be compared.

In this tragedy, the people of Thebes are experiencing a dark time and call on their king for help. Oedipus, a man once believing to have changed the fate he was given by Apollo, turns to Apollo begging for a solution to his kingdom’s misery, “ I sent Creon, Menoeceus’ son, my own wife’s brother, to Apollo’s shrine at Delphi, with commission to enquire what I can say or do to save this town”(Oedipus, 69-72). The response he shortly receives does not please him or his wife , Jocasta, leading to the king and queen of

We as social beings have the need to feel secure in the environment we live in . We want to feel a sense of belongingness to a certain group to fulfill our need of security and to gain our own identity. Ethnicity gives us the identity of who we are and where we come from and it helps an individual to be recognized in a certain way. The Persians can be viewed as an example to learn how they stay united as one ethnic culture . Persia was one of the world's largest and the richest empires which successfully contributed to modern civilization.

Odysseus, the protagonist of Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, is a complex character with a range of virtues and flaws. While he is widely regarded as a hero, some scholars argue that he is actually an anti-hero. In this essay, I will examine Odysseus's character and actions throughout the epic, using textual evidence to determine whether or not he can be classified as an anti-hero. One of the key arguments in favor of Odysseus being an anti-hero is his tendency to engage in deceit and trickery.

Through thorough analysis of Zeus’ interaction with Prometheus in both Hesiod’s Theogony and Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound, this essay will be able to clarify which one of the authors had the most accurate

Herodotus also shows historians his personal opinion as well as that of the Greeks on ancient

This book has given me a greater understanding on the Classics as a whole. The book touches on a plethora of classical topics in chapter 2, and often compares the western civilization to our west. The author also gave me better understanding of the time periods. I didn’t know slaves had better treatment than the free people in Persia at the time, or that war was an enormous role in Classics age. From the western civilization class I’ve took earlier this year, this books discuss the importance of money in a war, when Sparta beat Athens, or when Rome beat the Carthaginians because of the new money they received to build ships.

In the epic poem, the Iliad written by Homer, several characters taking part in the warfare between the Achaeans and the Trojans are portrayed as embodying the heroic code of courage, physical strength, leadership, arete of value of honour, and the acceptance of fate. The heroic code is illustrated by the actions of the Trojan prince, Hector and the Achaeans strongest warrior, Achilles. Both of these characters display the Greek’s image of a hero, and can also let the reader discern what the society admires, looks up to and aspires to in its heroes. There are also characters who fail to be heroic, such as the Trojan “vivid and beautiful” prince, Paris. These characters in the Iliad illustrate the qualities that Ancient Greek society values.

This essay will be explaining the ways in which tyranny was a good thing for Greek states across the Mediterranean during the 6th, 5th, and 4th centuries BC. In the first instance, What tyranny is and how some of the Greek States were, in general, before tyranny will be explained. Additionally, examples of two tyrants from two different locations will be discussed. Finally, why and how tyranny came to be seen as a bad thing will be discussed. Tyranny

Iliad is recognized as one of the most famous ancient monuments of literature. The full understanding of this epic poem is hardly possible without thorough analysis of its main characters. Among all the episodes of the Trojan War, Homer chooses the moment of Achilles’ wrath and thus creates a poem in which he becomes the central figure. From the Ancient Greeks’ point of view, Achilles represents the ideal of manliness and pure heroism, for he is brave and fights for heroics, not profits. Today, one can agree with this interpretation, yet Achilles is probably the most controversial character because he combines various personality traits and acts in accordance with his ambiguous nature.