Greeks vs. Barbarians

1
Greeks vs. Barbarians
2
Why cant we all get along?

• One of the fundamental question Herodotus
  presents Why do Greeks and non-Greeks fight one
  another?
• There is a difference in nomoi that creates
  diametrical oppositions
• Historical significance between the Persian
  invasion in 480 C.E. and the Celtic invasion in
  279
• Herodotus perpetuates the idea of barbarian as
  he promotes this idea of otherness.

3
Major Sacrafices

• How many groups like the Taurians on the Euxine,
  King Busiris of Egypt, the Celts, the
  Phoeniciansthink that immolating human beings is
  both pious and most pleasing to the immortal
  gods. Cicero Republic 3.15
• Phoenicians (Or Punic Carthaginians)
• Hamilcar remained in camp trying to obtain a
  favorable omen from sacrafice, burning whole
  carcasses on an immense fire Herodotus VII 166.
  
• Celts
• We are told of still other kinds of human
  sacrifices they used to skewer some with arrows,
  or impale them within the sanctuaries, or else
  throw cattle and all sorts of wild animals and
  human beings into a pre-prepared colossus of
  wicker and wood, then immolate it. Strabo of
  Amaseia Geograpghy 4.4.4-5
• Taurians
• Because of its wintery storms and the ferocity
  of the tribes that lived around it, and
  particularyly the Scythians, in that they
  sacrificed strangers, ate their flesh, and used
  their skulls as drinks cups Strabo of Amaseia
  Geograpghy 7.3.6-7
• Egyptians
• Then he arrived at the Nile in Memphis at the
  court of Busiris, son of Posidon, whom he killed
  at the alter of Zeus where they used to kill
  forigners. Phercydes of Athens 4.1396

4
Diametrical Opposition

• What it means to be Greek
• Idea of the perfect balance.
• Grain eating, wine drinking.
• Agriculture driven
• Urbanized
• Proper sacrifice
• Proper Sexual Customs
• What it means to be a Barbarian
• Human sacrifice
• Meat Eaters, Milk Drinkers
• Cannibals
• Impious
• Kills strangers

5
Herodotus and the Persians

• We are told of still other kinds of human
  sacrifices they used to skewer some with arrows,
  or impale them within the sanctuaries, or else
  throw cattle and all sorts of wild animals and
  human beings into a pre-prepared colossus of
  wicker and wood, then immolate it. Strabo of
  Amaseia Geograpghy 4.4.4-5
• This latter river the Magi tried to propitiate by
  a sacrifice of white horses, and after performing
  many other magical tricks in the hope of winning
  the rivers favor, they crossed it by the bridges
  which they found at Nine Ways, a place in the
  territory of the Edoni and when the learnt that
  Nine Ways was the name of the place they took
  nine native boys and nine native girls and buried
  them alive there. Herodotus VII 114
• You salt and bitter stream, your master lays
  this punishment upon you for injuring him, who
  never injured you. But Xerxes the king will cross
  you, with or without your permission. No man
  sacrifices to you, and you deserve the neglect by
  your acid and muddy waters. Herodotus VII 35.