Exam 2 CLST 1003

University of Arkansas. Spring, 2021.

CLST 1003/1003H. Examination #2 Description.

Detail from Athenian red-figure clay vase, about 490 BC. Paris. Musée du Louvre. © Musée du Louvre.

This will appear on  Blackboard on Monday April 12, 2021.

 There are three parts of this examination.  Please budget enough time to complete them all.

1. Slides (12 points).  Write a brief description of two (2) images, including at least four facts.  These may include: name, location, period, date, material, use, technique, significance (what it shows about the people, civilization), etc. THE IMAGES FOR THE SLIDE PORTION OF THE EXAM WILL BE TAKEN FROM BIERS:  Color Plate #11, Color Plate #3, Color Plate #13, and Chapter 7: 7.6, 7.33, and Chapter 8:  8.38, 8.40, 8.50, 8.67.

2.  Classics in Our World (12 points) Write about three (3) of five choices, and briefly give 1) the original story/meaning/significance, 2) the modern use/meaning, and 3) an example, with a quotation. Please be specific. [There is possible extra credit for correct Greek spelling of original words.]

[THERE WILL BE FIVE CHOICES HERE.]

3. Croesus’ Journal (76 points).

In the first book of his Histories, Herodotus chooses the barbarian Croesus as a main character. After he becomes the Lydian king, Croesus entertains the Solon the Athenian at his palace at Sardis, makes war on the Persian king Cyrus, and loses his kingdom. He eventually realizes the wisdom of Solon’s words, and after being miraculously saved from being burned alive, Croesus becomes an advisor to the Persian king Cyrus, who respects his opinions, makes use of his ideas, and puts him under the protection of his son Cambyses. Herodotus seems to have a high opinion of the wisdom that Croesus acquires as a result of his unfortunate experiences, and Solon’s advice.

Assignment: Re-read the three sections (22 pages) in Herodotus Book 1 that feature Croesus (1.29-56; 1.84-91; 1.205-216). Imagine that you are Croesus, and write three entries in your journal, as follows.

            Entry 1. Write about your experience with Solon, your interactions with the oracles, and the loss of your son (1.29-56). What did you learn as a result of these events?

            Entry 2. Write about your experience at the fall of Sardis, and your interactions with the Persian king Cyrus and the Delphic oracle (1.84-91). What did you learn as a result of these events?

Entry 3. Write about your experience with king Cyrus when he was planning his military strategy against the Massagetae, and its aftermath (1.205-216). How was your advice to Cyrus useful or not? What unforeseen event caused Cyrus’ death? What can we learn as a result of these events?

Be sure to mention each of the following ten (10) items in the appropriate entries, showing how each is relevant in the narrative. Please underline each of these in your journal.

Tellus the Athenian             Cleobis & Biton        Atys

Tortoise & Lamb Meat        “Solon, Solon, Solon”        Loxias

“Man, don’t kill Croesus.”  Tomyris      Spargapises     Araxes                                                                              

Be sure to stay in character. Remember, you were one of the world’s richest and most powerful men, who thought that your happiness would last all your life, only to find out otherwise, proving the wisdom of Solon the Athenian.