Carian Greeks and Greek Scythians: The Hybridity of Greek and Barbarian Identity in Herodotus’ Histories

Author

Benjamin D. LeachFollow

Publication Date

Spring 4-4-2017

Abstract

In my thesis, I discuss how Herodotus characterizes the similarities and differences between Greek and non-Greek identity. Herodotus provides his readers with a plethora of details about both Greek and non-Greek peoples in his Histories, which has offered scholars plenty of material to use in this topic. I argue that Herodotus purposefully highlights certain aspects that are shared by certain Greek and non-Greek peoples in order to provide a commentary on his own times. The first chapter focuses on the characters Phanes and Artemisia and how uses the same vocabulary to describes these two individuals, despite one being a Carian and the other a Greek. The second chapter focuses on the similarities between the Athenians, Ethiopians, Massagetae, and the Scythians and how Herodotus ties these failed invasion narratives together. I conclude that these invasion narratives are exempla to the Athenians and the givers of advice, such as Artemisia and Artabanus, are representations of Herodotus himself as warning Athens.

Keywords

Herodotus, identity, ethnicity, Artemisia, Phanes, Scythians, Ethiopians, Massagetae, Greeks

Document Type

Thesis

Language

English

Degree Name

Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures

First Committee Member (Chair)

Lorenzo F. Garcia Jr.

Second Committee Member

Monica S. Cyrino

Third Committee Member

Osman Umurhan

Recommended Citation

Leach, Benjamin D.. "Carian Greeks and Greek Scythians: The Hybridity of Greek and Barbarian Identity in Herodotus’ Histories." (2017). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/fll_etds/122