Croesus’ Offerings and the Value of the Past in Herodotus’ Histories

Bibliographic Data

ID20084514
AuthorsKaren Bassi (corresponding author)
Year2014
Pages173-196
Publication date2014-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeCHAPTER
VenueValuing the Past in the Greco-Roman World (SOURCE_BOOK)
PublisherBrill (PUBLISHER • NL)
DOI10.1163/9789004274952_008
OpenAlexW914579491
ISBN9789004274952
LanguageEN
Citations received2

This chapter explores the relationship between visible evidence and the value of the past in Herodotus' Histories . The discussion is framed by the temporal dimension of physical objects and architectural features in Herodotus' narrative and, by extension, in the writing of history more generally. Beginning with Herodotus' intention to insure that 'the past deeds of men may not fade with time' this definition of the past is explored in the relationship between oracles and objects, notably Croesus' offerings at Delphi, in the Lydian Logos . This chapter examines a particular historico-linguistic feature in Herodotus' narrative, namely, his descriptions of the offerings that exist up to his own time. Herodotus' references to things that exist 'up to my time' constitute a particular instance of this corrosive effect in the Histories . A more literal translation recognizes the past as a series of receding viewpoints relative to a 'me' that establishes a contemporary baseline. Keywords: Croesus' offerings; Delphi; Herodotus' Histories ; historico-linguistic feature; Lydian Logos

Art · Delphi · Linguistics · Literature · Logos Bible Software · Narrative · Viewpoints · Visual arts · Ancient Near East History · Biblical Studies and Interpretation · Classical Antiquity Studies · Computer Science · History · Philosophy

Tools

Open DOI