WORLD HISTORY I
Ancient Historians: Herodotus and Thucydides
Name:
Date:
DIRECTIONS: Based on the excerpts from Herodotus and Thucydides, answer the
following questions. Some basic ground rules:
Use complete sentences and your best grammar.
Explain your answers fully and be as specific as possible.
Refer to specific passages to support your points, but use your own words
(do not just quote the authors) and be sure to identify each passage by
number.
HERODOTUS
Why did Herodotus write history?
What type(s) of sources did he consult? Be specific, especially by citing
examples.
How critical was Herodotus of his sources? Did he accept them at face-value?
THUCYDIDES
Why did Thucydides write history?
What type(s) of sources did he consult? Be specific, especially by citing
examples.
How critical was Thucydides of his sources?
How, in Thucydides’ view, did his attitude towards the sources make his account
“useful?”
GENERAL
Do you expect the history written by one of these historians to be more reliable
than the account written by the other one? Explain.
One of these historians is regularly labeled the “Father of History.” Which one do
you think it is, and why?