Herodotus' Histories 5

Study Guide Questions for Book 1, Ch. 92-106

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Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)

Freedom vs. Bondage, License, Justice, Pride, Prudence, Deception

Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)

1. What did Herodotus say was the case about Lydia “unlike most other countries?”

2. What things did Herodotus say “so far as we have any knowledge” that the Lydians were first to do?

3. According to Herodotus, why did the Lydians create many of the games that became popular in the ancient world such as “dice, and huckle-bones, and ball?”

4. Concerning the rise of Cyrus to power, for what reason did Herodotus prefer the “Persian authorities” version of the story as opposed to the other “three ways in which the story of Cyrus is told?”

5. What did Deioces do among his people which eventually led them “to put confidence in no one else?”

6. When the Medes decided to make Deioces king, what two things did he require from them?

7. What were two notable features that were a part of the design of the palace that the Medes built for Deioces?

8. Once Deioces was king of the Medes, what did he no longer allow and what was his reasoning?

9. What was Cyaxares the first to do concerning an “Asiatic army?”

10. Who temporarily overthrew the Medes and how did the Medes regain their power?

Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)

1. Why might the statement made by Herodotus, that “all these offerings were still in existence in my day; many others have perished,” be significant to his credibility as a historian?

2. What kinds of things might people have used for purchasing goods prior to the advent (coming) of the coin?

3. What is one reason why the Perians might have the most accurate story concerning the rise of Cyrus?

4. What is one reason why the Persians might have a less accurate version of the story concerning Cyrus?

5. What might we infer about Herodotus’ political opinions from his statement, “Thus the nations over that whole extent of country obtained the blessing of self-government, but they fell again under the sway of kings?”

6. Why would Deioces demand to have a palace and a bodyguard if he was to be king?

7. Why would Deioces’ refusal to allow average citizens to see him have made them think of him as “quite a different sort of being from themselves?”

8. Why would Cyaxares’ move to organize his army “by companies”  have been an important step forward in their warfare?

Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)

1. The Lydians used games to distract themselves from hunger. How can the power of distraction be a good thing? How can the power of distraction be a bad thing? To what extent ought we seek to add or remove distractions from our daily life? Explain your answer thoughtfully.

2. Do you think Deioces was really concerned about justice or just using justice as a means to his own ends? Why do you think as you do? 

3. Further, do you think justice can still be accomplished by a person who has selfish motives? Why or why not?

4. Deioces was said to have “spies and eavesdroppers in all parts of his dominion.” To what extent do you think it is permissible for a government to spy on its own people? Explain your reasoning.

5. In our present reading we see that food a time the Medes “obtained the blessing of self government” but also that they eventually became ruled by monarchy once again. What are the relative advantages and disadvantages of Democracy (rule by the people) and Monarchy (rule by a king)? What strengths and weaknesses are in each of these approaches to government?

6. The United States employs a model of government which is known as a “democratic republic,” meaning we are ruled by a plurality of representatives who are themselves chosen by the people. How does this approach seek to address the strengths and weaknesses of pure democracy and pure monarchy? Do you think it is a better solution to governing than the other two options? Why or why not?

Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)

1. How might we relate the story of Deioces the Mede to the story of God’s people, Israel, in the period of the Judges and the beginning of the monarchy (kingdom)? Consider the book of Judges and 1 Samuel when making your answer.