Essay Questions

Explain the philosophy which the Greeks employ after the abduction of Io. - “Book One”

Herodotus explains, “ These women were standing about near the vessel’s stern, buying what they fancied, when suddenly the Phoenician sailors passed the word along and made a rush at them. The greater number got away; but Io and some others were caught and bundled aboard the ship, which cleared at once and made off for Egypt…Later on some Greeks, whose name the Persians fail to record-they were probably Cretans- put into the Phoenician port of Tyre and carried of the king’s daughter Europa, thus giving them a tit for tat.” Here, the Greeks employ “ a tooth for a tooth “ philosophy by abducting Europa as a way of avenging Io’s abduction. Both abductees are the Kings’ daughters which results in equivalent retribution. If the Greeks had abducted a woman other than Europa, then the “tit for tat" aim would not be absolute.

Explain the significance of Aphrodite. - “Book Two”

Herodotus writes, “For a time the marriage was not consummated; for whenever the king (Amasis) went to bed with her (Ladice), he was unable to have intercourse…this happened frequently, until at last Amasis told her that she must have bewitched him, and there was no escape for her, in consequence, from a most miserable death…She made a silent vow to Aphrodite that if that very night - the last which could save her from death- the marriage could be consummated, she would present a statue to the temple of the goddess in Cyrene. Her prayer was at once answered: Amasis lay with her successfully.” Here, Aphrodite facilitates successful sexual intimacy which redeems Ladice from death. Praying to her is effective because it makes possible an intimacy which had not been possible previously. Aphrodite’s power to promote intimacy between the couple makes it evident that she is a powerful goddess.