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Historians And Sources Flashcards

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1
Q

Who is known as the father of history?

A

Herodotus

Herodotus is recognized for his work in history, geography, and ethnography.

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2
Q

What city was Herodotus from?

A

Halicarnassus

Halicarnassus was under Persian control in the 5th century BCE.

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3
Q

In which dialect did Herodotus write his histories?

A

Ionian dialect

He learned this dialect during his travels.

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4
Q

What is Aeschylus often referred to as?

A

Father of tragedy

Aeschylus is recognized for his significant contributions to ancient Greek drama.

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5
Q

What major battles did Aeschylus participate in?

A

Marathon and Salamis

These battles were significant victories for the Greeks against the Persians.

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6
Q

Who was Plato’s teacher?

A

Socrates

Plato studied under Socrates, influencing his philosophical outlook.

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7
Q

What is the primary focus of Plato’s philosophy?

A

Ethical matters

Plato’s works often explore questions of morality and ethics.

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8
Q

What is Thucydides known for?

A

Being an ancient Greek historian

Thucydides was an Athenian who provided eyewitness accounts of historical events.

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9
Q

What is the Behistun inscription, and when was it created?

A

An inscription from 521/20

The Behistun inscription is crucial for understanding ancient Persian history.

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10
Q

What was Herodotus’s citizenship later in life?

A

Citizen of Thurii

Thurii is located in modern Italy.

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11
Q

What type of history did Herodotus incorporate into his works?

A

Geography and ethnography

He blended these disciplines with historical narrative.

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12
Q

What years mark the life of Herodotus?

A

484-425 BCE

These dates outline his period of influence.

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13
Q

What years mark the life of Aeschylus?

A

525-456 BCE

This timeframe highlights his contributions to tragedy.

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14
Q

What years mark the life of Plato?

A

428-348 BCE

Plato’s lifetime coincides with a critical period in Greek philosophy.

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15
Q

What years mark the life of Thucydides?

A

460-400 BCE

Thucydides’s work provides insights into the Peloponnesian War.

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16
Q

Whole thing on Justin and Trogus plus dates

A

Justin= 2nd C Roman writer, wrote the epitome of Trogus’ works (he had bee a 1st century BC writer and lived during reign of Augustus)

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17
Q

Who was Aristotle?

A
  • Greek philosopher
  • Born 384 BCE in Greece (Macedonia)
  • Died 322
  • Migrated to Athens and joined the Academy of Plato
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18
Q

Who was Plutarch?

A
  • Greek philosopher
  • Biography, not history
  • 40s-120s CE
  • Middle Platonist
  • Became a Roman citizen
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19
Q

What is Hellenica?

A
  • Only sig work of Greek history that documents last 7 years of Pelo War and its aftermath
  • Events from 411 to 362
  • Continues story of Thucydides
  • Seven-book account
  • Pro-spartan and anti-Theban?
  • Omits fact and inequalities of treatment
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20
Q

Who was Xenophon?

A

General, historian and philosopher
- 430-355 BCE
- Born in Athens but became associated with Sparta- don’t really have anything surviving about the Spartans written by themselves
- Constitution of the Lacadaemonians
- Belonged to an aristocratic family
- At 30, elected as one of the leaders of the retreating Greek mercenaries, the Ten Thousand
- Service of Cyrus the Younger and his campaign for the Persian throne

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21
Q

Who was Diodorus?

A
  • Greek historian
  • 1st Century BCE
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22
Q

Who was Polybius?

A
  • Hellenistic period Greek historian
  • 200-118 BCE
  • More specifically military history
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23
Q

Who was Eratosthenes?

Study These Flashcards
A
  • 276-194 BCE
  • Wrote up chronologies of eras
  • Greek mathematician and geographer
24
Q

What pol system did Plutarch favour?

25
Ashoka inscriptions
- By emperor of Maurya Empire from 268-232 BCE, about imperial power and to spread religious conviction and Dhamma
26
Who was Arrian?
o Lived AD 86-146 o Greek o Arrian felt that Alex hadn’t been recorded well or frequently enough and wanted to celebrate and preserve him (Anabasis of Alexander) o Experience under Roman emperor Hadrian o Interested in military o Relatively positive
27
Who did Diodorus use to inform his works?
Ephorus (these have now been lost, supposedly 400-330 BCE, Greek historian who saw the invasion of Asia by Alex).
28
Who was Curtius Rufus?
- Roman historian, probs 1st century CE, much of the work is missing
29
Who was Josephus?
- Wrote The Jewish War between 75 and 79 AD - End of Vespasian’s reign - Original was in Aramaic - Josephus was a Jewish historian and priest - He commanded Jewish troops during revolt against Rome - Later became a Roman citizen and lived in Rome- wrote under patronage of Flavian Dynasty o Second dynastic line of emperors to rule the Roman Empire - Lived in Rome when he wrote The Jewish Wars
30
Who was Cassius Dio?
- Roman historian of Greek origin - 80 volumes of the history of Rome published - Written in Ancient Greek - Later they were published in Latin - Born 165 CE in Nicaea
31
Who was Tacitus?
- Roman historian and politician - Born 56 AD and died 120 AD - He was the son-in-law of famous general Agricola - Events of annals precede those of histories despite them being written in the reverse order to this
32
Who was Livy?
Historian, 59 BC-17 AD, on good terms with Judi-Claudia’s dynasty
33
Apis Stele
524 BCE
34
Behistun Inscription
522-486 BCE roughly
35
Thucydides
- Athenian historian and general - Provides one of the only accounts of the Peloponnesian War - 460-400 BCE - ‘Political Realism’
36
What is the stance of The Old Oligarch on democracy?
Very much against democracy
37
According to The Old Oligarch, who actually runs the city?
The poor
38
What does The Old Oligarch claim about the decision-making power in the city?
The poor get all the decision making power
39
What does The Old Oligarch say about the poor's ability to make decisions?
They are ignorant and easily misled
40
How does The Old Oligarch describe the living conditions of slaves?
Slaves live in luxury and don’t fear anyone
41
What does The Old Oligarch say about the centralization of judicial matters?
It oppresses the rest of the Greek states
42
How does The Old Oligarch describe the efficiency of Athenian court cases?
Gets through their court cases quickly and efficiently
43
What is Aristotle's definition of oligarchy?
Rule of the few
44
How does Aristotle classify oligarchy in relation to aristocracy?
Deviant form of aristocracy
45
What negative outcome does Aristotle associate with oligarchy?
Caused class conflict
46
What is Aristotle's definition of aristocracy?
Rule by the best for the common good
47
What is Aristotle's definition of democracy?
Rule by the many, normally the poor, with risk of serving their own interests
48
According to Aristotle, how are forms of government characterized?
Fluid and cyclical
49
What can happen to monarchy according to Aristotle's view of government forms?
Could become tyranny
50
What can happen to aristocracy according to Aristotle's view of government forms?
Could become oligarchy
51
What can happen to polity according to Aristotle's view of government forms?
Could become democracy
52
What can destroy forms of government according to Aristotle?
Their opposites and by themselves
53
Jewish Sources around JW times
- Midrashes - BK revolt- Hebrew and Aramaic sources, we have letters written by BK themselves - Seder Olam Rabbah (‘the great order of the world’) o 2nd Century BCE Hebrew language chronology  Babylonian Talmud  From Adam to BK’s revolt
54
What was Polybius interested in when he wrote about constitutions?
Why Rome had a better constitution than ever before and why they ruled the med better
55
Miller commentary on Herodotus
- He himself is an east Greek that travelled within the PE - Would have used Aramaic to communicate, but we don’t know how well he knew it and there is evidence that he couldn’t read it - H states he interacted with Iranians but clear inaccuracies show he could not have known Persian o Example= Statement that all Persian names end in sigma
56
Vignolo Munson commentary on Herodotus
- ‘H descriptions of foreign societies reflect Greek assumptions and prejudices’ but he also reports ‘persuasive and historically valid info’ - H had access to good sources on the Persians, especially those living in Asia Minor - Does try to genuinely understand

T3 Sources (2 decks)

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