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Hello Everyone,

For the week of November 10th through November 16th, we are reading approximately the next 50 pages of Herodotus - The Histories.

This thread will discuss the following book and sections:

(Book V - Sections 1- 126)

We will open up a thread for each week's reading. Please make sure to post in the particular thread dedicated to those specific chapters and page numbers to avoid spoilers. We will also open up supplemental threads.

NOTE:

In the Penguin Edition, Book V, section 1 starts on page 311 and goes through section 126 which concludes on page 359.

This thread should only deal with these sections and with Book Five (although previous parts of Herodotus already discussed can be referenced). No spoilers, please.

Discussion on these sections will begin on November 10th.

Welcome,

Bentley

TO SEE ALL THREADS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS SELECT VIEW ALL

My interpretation was that it was an ambush; not like a trap laid for an animal who drops into some kind of hole.

We are talking about a large army. My belief is that they marched into a trap (an ambush) where they were cut off from being able to make an escape. Possibly their divisions/battalions whatever they were called were cut off from each other (parts or pieces of the whole) and divided up so that they could not support each other. Hence divide and conquer.

That is the only thing I could think of; I don't think they had explosives to blow up a bridge or anything,

Maybe and this is gory but maybe they were killed and cut up into pieces. Sounds absolutely awful.

I would rather not think about it.

Bentley

#2 - I think women are part of the spoils of war however in this case, there wasn't really a war. The Macedonians never put up a fight but agreed to pay tribute to the Persians. In this case, by the moral code of the time, I don't think they would be justified in taking their women. Also, I don't think it would be very wise to do so if they want the tribute to continue peacefully. I agree about the hint of comedy in the baby fiasco. And what about hiding the baby in a trunk? I feel like 10 men would be able to locate the baby if they wanted to.

Was it just me or was this book V the most difficult book since book 1? I like the stories involving the different people and cultures much more than the geograhpy but wow, but I found myself confused a couple of times with all the places and characters.

(5.65) In the story of the Peistratids and the Alkmeonids, I was having a hard time figuring out whose side H. was on. It seems like in the end, he didn't believe that either side was right because they both wanted a tyrant and H. supports democracy very clearly in 5.78. Is it just me or has the term tyrant taken on a more negative connotation in this book?

Hello Sarah,

I agree with you about women being part of the spoils of war. Women's role was so vulnerable; at first they are kidnapped and blamed for that happening as well; like they engineered it. Then if a country is invaded; the women are taken as a trophy.

I think V is more difficult in a way; but reading The Histories is such an accomplishment.

I think Herodotus was very sensitive about certain kinds of kings and dictators; remember he himself was expelled because he took part in a plan or plot to usurp what he called a dictator and unfortunately was on the losing side.

Bentley