Precis Two: Herodotus’ The History
I will begin by outlining the major problems with the Persian monarchy as described in Herodotus’ account. In a debate about the conditions of Persian government, Otanes discourages the idea of a monarch, stating, “The monarch may do what he pleases, with none to check him afterwards. Take the best man on earth and put him into a monarchy and you put him outside of the thoughts that have been wont to guide him” (3.80). This, in my opinion, is the greatest argument against monarchy given in The History. It observes the fact that a monarchy is without checks and balances. Therefore, a monarch that is not perfectly just will succumb to weaknesses such as greed, lust for power, and envy. This desire for complete …show more content…
He gives the following argument: “When the people is ruler… the government holds office by decision of lot, and the power it holds is subject to the check of audit, and all its propositions it must put before the commonalty for judgment. I vote therefore that we abolish the monarchy and increase the power of the people” (3.80). Croesus describes the Lacedaemonians and Athenians as the two greatest Greek nations, both of which practice isonomia (1.56). Herodotus provides an impeccable description of the advantages of giving power to the people as …show more content…
The Spartans had a government more similar to an oligarchic military than a democracy. Herodotus describes pre-constitution Sparta as “ the very worst in laws among the Greeks” and the “least free in communication” (1.65). The Lacedaemonians remained under the rule of general-kings (5.40-42), yet continued the rule of equality for the people. In knowing this, they attempted to overthrow Athens by reinstating tyranny, yet Lacedaemon made sure to “take most heedful care that none such [princes] grow to be in Sparta” (5.92). The Spartan realization of the downfall caused by princes is a major factor in battle, as well as the inequality of the Persian military equipment and training (9.63). They take advantage of the proud brashness of Mardonius and are able to defeat him with their equally-equipped men (9.64). The type of men that are produced by isonomia in both Lacedaemon and Athens are men of greater fortitude and empowerment than those that are essentially supplicants to the Persian kings. This, combined with the blindness of the lust for power by Xerxes, Darius, Mardonius, and other Persian superiors, leads to the victory of the Greeks over the
I will begin by outlining the major problems with the Persian monarchy as described in Herodotus’ account. In a debate about the conditions of Persian government, Otanes discourages the idea of a monarch, stating, “The monarch may do what he pleases, with none to check him afterwards. Take the best man on earth and put him into a monarchy and you put him outside of the thoughts that have been wont to guide him” (3.80). This, in my opinion, is the greatest argument against monarchy given in The History. It observes the fact that a monarchy is without checks and balances. Therefore, a monarch that is not perfectly just will succumb to weaknesses such as greed, lust for power, and envy. This desire for complete …show more content…
He gives the following argument: “When the people is ruler… the government holds office by decision of lot, and the power it holds is subject to the check of audit, and all its propositions it must put before the commonalty for judgment. I vote therefore that we abolish the monarchy and increase the power of the people” (3.80). Croesus describes the Lacedaemonians and Athenians as the two greatest Greek nations, both of which practice isonomia (1.56). Herodotus provides an impeccable description of the advantages of giving power to the people as …show more content…
The Spartans had a government more similar to an oligarchic military than a democracy. Herodotus describes pre-constitution Sparta as “ the very worst in laws among the Greeks” and the “least free in communication” (1.65). The Lacedaemonians remained under the rule of general-kings (5.40-42), yet continued the rule of equality for the people. In knowing this, they attempted to overthrow Athens by reinstating tyranny, yet Lacedaemon made sure to “take most heedful care that none such [princes] grow to be in Sparta” (5.92). The Spartan realization of the downfall caused by princes is a major factor in battle, as well as the inequality of the Persian military equipment and training (9.63). They take advantage of the proud brashness of Mardonius and are able to defeat him with their equally-equipped men (9.64). The type of men that are produced by isonomia in both Lacedaemon and Athens are men of greater fortitude and empowerment than those that are essentially supplicants to the Persian kings. This, combined with the blindness of the lust for power by Xerxes, Darius, Mardonius, and other Persian superiors, leads to the victory of the Greeks over the