Histories · Question
How does Histories develop the theme of Cultural Relativism and Ethnography?
Answer
Histories by Herodotus develops Cultural Relativism and Ethnography across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.
Herodotus extensively describes the customs, beliefs, and practices of various peoples (Egyptians, Scythians, Thracians, Persians), often comparing them to Greek ways and noting that each culture considers its own customs best.
Herodotus compares Egyptian and Greek customs, such as calendar reckoning, and records diverse cultural practices and beliefs.
Darius's experiment with Greek and Callatian funeral customs demonstrates that each people believes its own customs are best, illustrating the theme of cultural relativism.
Herodotus describes Thracian customs, including mourning at birth, rejoicing at death, polygamy, and tattooing as marks of nobility.
Evidence in the book
- Book II: Euterpe
Herodotus compares Egyptian and Greek customs, such as calendar reckoning, and records diverse cultural practices and beliefs.
- Book III: Thaleia
Darius's experiment with Greek and Callatian funeral customs demonstrates that each people believes its own customs are best, illustrating the theme of cultural relativism.
- Book V: Terpsichore
Herodotus describes Thracian customs, including mourning at birth, rejoicing at death, polygamy, and tattooing as marks of nobility.
