1. History of the Ancient and Medieval World The Glory That was Greece Part 3: Birth of History Walsingham Academy Mrs. McArthur Room 107

2. What is History?: Early Definitions Mesopotamia + Egypt (a record: Sumerian King List and tombs) Hebrews: a way of revealing the unfolding relationship with God and his chosen people. Greeks: a specific literary art – large themes about human life and conduct.

3. Historiai A story with details “Researches,” “investigations” about universal themes and absolute truths. Drama expressed in powerful language

4. Herodotus and Thucydides

5. "This, however, I know – that if every nation were to bring all its evil deeds to a given place in order to make an exchange with some other nation, when they had all looked carefully at their neighbors’ faults, they would truly be glad to carry their own back again." Frontpiece to 1647 copy of Histories Herodotus: Father of History

6. Oikoumene = “inhabited World:” The World according to Herodotus (450 B.C.E.) Herodotus: Traveler and Observer

7. The Persian Empire: the ultimate barbaron – uncultured and inferior, albeit powerful The Persian Wars: As told to us by Herodotus

8. These images of the Persian fighters equipped with only the most rudimentary gear must have seemed like suicide to the Greco-Roman reader. “The Persians are not warlike… They fight with bows and the short spear and go into battle wearing trousers, and hats on their heads (Herodotus 208).”

9. Why History? (western tradition) To preserve accounts of great deeds. To teach “lessons” derived from the past. To shape the future’s opinion of one.

10. Herodotus and Thucydides What was Remarkable? They were well-read, well-traveled and curious. They made hypotheses and applied logic and reason to their subjects. They were critical and fair-minded thinkers. They “investigated” by questioning, interviewing people and by recording and collating information. They were elegant and sometimes entertaining writers.

11. Assignment Revise and edit your notes and notebook. Note: While on Blackbaud, check Extra-Credit Possibility for this week! Due 10/26 by email.