Herodotus and Sima Qian: Great Historians Essay

Herodotus was the first Greek to look at the big picture. He differed from famous authors such as Homer and other authors, with texts of legends and mythology. Herodotus describes human causes for circumstances and events, rather than labeling them as divine ones, which authors at that time arguably focused their writings. When Herodotus describes divinity, he relies on the human approach by relying on the knowledge of other cultures. His cultural interests vary in philosophy, anthropology and religion. The three being the primary source material for his body of work. When he places this particular information into his book, labeled ‘The Enquiries,’ or Historia, translated this means inquiry and investigation over the subject matter, not necessarily

Throughout Herodotus’ The History, Oracles, and dreams play an important role. While the gods have almost no presence throughout the book, the Oracles and/or dreams are linked to many of the major events.

The stories of epic heroes remain important to many cultures, the Greeks in particular. These tales of heroic men not only entertain, but they teach people about morals and values that most epic heroes exemplify, such as intelligence and bravery. To be an epic hero, characters are usually highly born, favored by the gods, perform great deeds, and have flaws. These tales are told in heightened style and occur in grand settings. Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, meets these traits and is considered a prime example of an epic hero. His story is told in Homer’s The Odyssey and The Iliad. However, Odysseus’s journey sets him apart from other epic heroes. Most heroes follow the hero’s journey, in which a hero begins in the ordinary world, is called

For Herodotus, history was made, or rather given, in the traditional definition of providence: divine guidance of events. Over the course of his works there are numerous examples

In Greek literature of mythology, we have examined Odysseus. Students and scholars alike have held debates about Odysseus. The discussion is whether Odysseus was a true hero, as read in The Odyssey. There is abundant supportive evidence to verify all sides of the debate and opinions held about Odysseus. Odysseus had encompassed many qualities that I believe make him a hero. The qualities he embodied were mental strength, physical strength, and spiritual strength. I would like to advocate for why Odysseus was a hero.

In the Greek literature of mythology, we have examined Odysseus. Students and scholars alike debate whether Odysseus was a true hero, as read in The Odyssey. There is much supporting evidence to prove all sides of the debate and opinions held of Odysseus. It is of my opinion that Odysseus is a hero in his homeland, his family, the Greek people, and for us to learn from to this day. Odysseus had encompassed three many qualities that I believe made him a hero. He embodied, mental strength, physical strength, and spiritual strength. I would like to advocate for why Odysseus was a hero.

The structure of The Histories presents a problem. The secondary structure of The Histories almost obscures the primary structure, making the book difficult to follow. We are presented with two possibilities. Either Herodotus is not a good author or The Histories was not meant to be read as a book. Given the oral nature of fifth century Athens the later is far more likely. Books were likely a rarity in Herodotus' time given the difficulty in reproducing them. Given the oral

In this accessible writing, Thomas R. Martin makes a comparison of the writings of Sima Qian in historical China and those of Herodotus of ancient Greek. Primarily, the main theme of the author is to show a glimpse of the symbols of early history writing. Martin shows the related struggles that each contended with in the preparation of the historical accounts. Furthermore, it is also indicated that the two writing legends played a significant role in inventing modern notions of historical writing and the occupation of an historian. In light of this, the paper will make an analysis of the early life of two ancient writers who shaped the history of writing.

The story “The Odyssey” describes the eventful travel of the warrior Odysseus, who is also the king of Ithaca, after a war known as the “Trojan War”. Odysseus performed many heroic actions during his travel. Odysseus also performed some unheroic deeds, but he is only a human being, he also makes mistakes. A true hero never gives up and uses everything he can to overcome any trials or hardships he must face.

Herodotus, and Herman M. Johnson. Herodoti Orientalia Antiquiora: Comprising Mainly Such Portions of Herodotus as Give a Connected History of the East,

Throughout the paper I’ll be describing the story of the Odysseus and his Epic Journey, as well as Gilgamesh Journey. I will show you how these two epic stories relate to one another. By comparing and contrasting the two stories, I will compare how Odysseus and Gilgamesh relate to the gods and have a good communication with them, as well how both of them are epic warriors and last the pain they both received in there epic journey. I will show examples of Odysseus communicating with the gods, and how Gilgamesh communicated with his mom the god. Also I will show the example that they are both great warriors by explaining how Odysseus beat the Trojan and killed Poseidon son just as Gilgamesh fought a war and build the wall. Both of these examples reflect the great warriors they were. Last I will show the pain Odysseus and Gilgamesh encountered in there soul by doing there epic journeys.

However, this section is misguiding because we quickly find ourselves thrown back into time to discover the reasons as to why Croesus was in the thrown. Throughout this chapter Herodotus uses myths, folktales and speeches to tell the story. Which much of the story seems unbelievable to the reader. This is important to create an understanding for the time and to understand the reading clearer.

Throughout the course of the world, there have been many great civilizations that have risen and fallen from power. Many of these civilizations are remembered not only through the texts or works that they themselves produced, but through the writings of later historians. Herodotus was an example of a later historian, because he wrote about a civilization of old, de Vaca was a historian of the moment because he covered a civilization as he experienced it. The contrast in the two styles is plainly evident for the most part in the two literary pieces. Herodotus has a very distinct style compared to de Vaca and as de Vaca’s works came later it can be assumed that he was partially influenced by Herodotus. The three main areas that Herodotus and de Vaca’s works differ are the time period in which they wrote their pieces, how they regarded their subject matter, and who they were writing about.

Ever since the beginning of time men and women have told countless stories of adventure, discovery, and conquest. These stories often divulge the grand adventures of epic heroes. An epic hero is someone with abundant importance whose actions involve perilous journeys and marvelous warrior skills in war or battle (Abram). In Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus, the king of the great island of Ithaca, is called to fight alongside the Greeks in the Trojan War. The Greeks defeated the Trojans with the help of clever Odysseus’ Trojan horse. Odysseus qualifies as an epic hero because, like all epic heroes, Odysseus undertakes a long, dangerous journey, demonstrates his extraordinary speaking skills by speaking to countless friends and enemies with

Before on embarking on Said misconceptions anent Herodotus, he avails himself of Euripides The Bacchae and Aeschylus 's The Persians, which he argues in “The two aspects of the Orient that set it off from the West in this pair of plays” which are the catalysts of Orientalism, and accordingly, neither are Herodotean texts. Nonetheless, I will refute the occasions he to greater degree implicitly examines Herodotus.