Herodotus 1.1-1.92

• Opening passage describes how Herodotus will explain the conflict between Greek and non-Greek peoples and how they came into this conflict.

• Answer this question, briefly,

• “What are the aims laid out by Herodotus in the opening passage to his Histories?

• Tips: Explain his use of the word Historia and what this suggests about his workExplain his choice of subject and why he has chosen this conflict (who is he attempting to rival?

Croesus• Herodotus blames Croesus for the outbreak of

hostilities, he introduces his subject by discussing his ancestors – name them here….. – and his court as well as relations between the Lydians and Ionians.

Task

Briefly describe the relationship between the two peoples.

Croesus and PersiaCroesus, concerned over the increasing threat from Persia on his eastern border decides to pre-empt an attack by attacking Persia himself.

In sending many impressive presents to the oracle at Delphi, the God Apollo suggests Croesus ally himself with the most powerful Greek city-state, Sparta.

Task:

Briefly state – using references, the two alliances that Croesus makes.

Temple of Apollo at Delphi

Why Persia?Lydia was infamously rich in gold deposits – the river Pactolus – which was near the Lydian Capital, Sardis.

These deposits made the kingdom both rich and vulnerable. It was a target for Cyrus and the Persian not only because they could not countenance such a powerful dominion on their border but the gold proved a significant incentive for conquest.

The CampaignHaving been given advice by Thales of Miletus – famous scientist and philosopher – he is able to work his way around the river Halys, arriving at the Persian Empire and fighting an inconclusive battle.

Croesus attacks again the following year and Cyrus follows him, defeating him on the plain of Sardes, resulting in a seige of the Capital.

Task:

Outline the events of 542 (n.b. 547 in Babylonian sources) and how the Persians are able to win the battle.

The death of Croesus"Solon had the reputation of saving one king and instructing another by means of a single saying." Plutarch, Parallel Lives Solon 28.4.

• How is the death of Croesus related in the text?

• Look at the second source, how is the demise of Croesus related to us?

• Later in the text, Croesus reappears as an advisor to Cyrus. In this role he gives sound advice and is ignored by the Persian ruler.a) Why does Herodotus bring him back? What is the reason for this literary device?b) Do the problems of reliability detract from Herodotus’ work?

4. Therefore……Why does Herodotus include this story in his Histories?

Story of Solon• Solon: Athenian Law-maker, democrat and philosopher who travelled widely when he had completed his

political career. Best remembered for his political reforms in Athens in the 6 th century, removing many of the Aristocratic privileges, and his part in the downfall of Croesus.

• Solon’s Athenian Reforms:

• Annulment of all contracts symbolised by the horoi (those at the bottom of the property classes)• Prohibition on a debtor's person being used as security for a loan• Release of all Athenians who had been enslaved• The abolition of extravagant dowries• Legislation against abuses within the system of inheritance, specifically with relation to the epikleros (i.e. a

female who had no brothers to inherit her father's property and who was traditionally required to marry her nearest paternal relative in order to produce an heir to her father's estate).

• Entitlement of any citizen to take legal action on behalf of another• The disenfranchisement of any citizen who might refuse to take up arms in times of civil strife, a measure

that was intended to counteract dangerous levels of political apathy

• Aims: reduced the power of the old aristocracy by making wealth rather than birth a criterion for holding political positions - Solon went into self imposed exile for 10 years as soon as these reforms were introduced in order that he would not become a tyrant.

• “Such power I gave the people as might do, Abridged not what they had, now lavished new. Those that were great in wealth and high in place, My counsel likewise kept from all disgrace. Before them both I held my shield of might, And let not either touch the other's right."

» Plutarch’s Life of Solon

Solon and Croesus"… Is our prosperity, then, held by you so worthless that you match us not even with common men." (Croesus to Solon. Herodotus, History 1.32).

• After acting out the passage, can you answer the following:

a) What is the message of Solon’s tale?b) Why does Herodotus include this story?c) Is it important whether or not this story is true?

Hubris: An act or characteristic of arrogance or over-confidence, which in Greek Tragedy results in downfall i.e. In Herodotus, overachievement always leads to destruction, a key theme, synonymous with ambition.

Source 2: Death of Croesus

Most modern-day scholars and historians believe that Croesus died on the pyre but that the ancients of the 4th century did not care for that ending to the life of so wealthy and powerful a king. The story of Croesus served as a cautionary tale among the Greeks on hubris and a warning on not tempting the gods’ wrath by thinking of oneself as the happiest person in the world.