Name: __________________________________________

____________________

Class: _________

Date:

Persian Wars Homework:

Can we trust Herodotus?
We know about what happened during the Persian Wars because of Herodotuss
records called The Histories. Sort the following arguments about whether or not we
can trust Herodotus, then complete the activities which follow.
Herodotus lived during the 5th century BCE
Herodotus was a young child during the 1st Persian War
Herodotus didnt fight in the Persian Wars
Herodotuss exact birthplace is unknown
Herodotus was born in the Greek empire
Herodotus interviewed many Greeks
Herodotus traveled throughout the Greek empire
Reasons why we can TRUST Herodotus

Reasons why we DONT TRUST Herodotus

Mark your opinion about the sentence with an X on the line below:
Herodotus is a trustworthy source
Strongly Agree
Disagree

Strongly

Explain your answer in 3 sentences. Use evidence from the table above.
__________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________
One reason why some historians are nervous about trusting Herodotus is that his
work includes opinions. Think about it: when you read a textbook, does it include
the authors opinion? No. Some people say we cannot trust Herodotus because he
is not fair. Its now your job to determine is this is a fair or unfair criticism of
Herodotus.
1. Read the excerpt below.
2. Underline all parts of the passage that show Herodotus favors the Greeks. Use
a RED pen.
3. Underline all parts of the passage that show Herodotus favors the Persians. Use
a BLACK pen.
Back in his camp he [the Persian spy] told Xerxes what he had seen. Xerxes was
bewildered; the truth, namely that the Spartans were preparing themselves to die
and deal death with all their strength, was beyond his comprehension, and what
they were doing seemed to him merely absurd. Accordingly he sent for
Demeratus, the son of Ariston, who had come with the army, and questioned him
about the spys report, in the hope of finding out what the behavior of the
Spartans might mean. One before, Demeratus said, when we began our march
against Greece, you heard me speak of these men. I told you then how I saw this
enterprise would turn out, and you laughed at me These men [the Spartans]
have come to fight us for possession of the pass, and for that struggle they are
preparing. It is the custom of the Spartans to pay careful attention to their hair
when they are about to risk their lives. But I assure you that if you can defeat
these men and the rest of the Spartans that are still at home, there is no other
people in the world who will dare to stand firm or lift a hand against you. You have
now to deal with the finest kingdom in Greece, and with the bravest men. (Book
VI, 209)
Who does Herodotus favor more?
PERSIANS

Circle your answer:

GREEKS

Defend your answer in 1 complete paragraph. For full credit, you must include at
least 1 direct quote from the excerpt above.
__________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________