January 15th Written Response Template - CLAS 160D2 (3)
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
University Of Arizona *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
160B1
Subject
Arts Humanities
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
2
Uploaded by AmbassadorMetalMoose31
Carmen Montoya
CLAS 150C1
1/15/23
Reading Response #1: King Menes
Prompt:
Write at least 150 words describing what we can (or can't) learn about King Menes
based on Herodotus, Manetho, and Diodorus Siculus. Then write another 150 words arguing for
whether you thing historical sources (the texts you just read) or archaeological sources (like the
Narmer Palette and Narmer Macehead) are more useful for re-constructing ancient history.
Make sure to justify your answer. In your response, make
least three references to the ancient
texts.
Through the words of Herodotus, Manetho, and Diodorus Siculus we can learn that King
Menes was a role model and looked upon as a legend to many. He performed various acts that
made him liked by the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans alike. King Menes is widely credited for
unifying Upper and Lower Egypt into one kingdom that eventually lived-in peace. He was able
to accomplish this through the conquest of the Nile Delta. Menes also founded the capital of
Memphis on the border that resides in the middle of two parts of the country. Menes was a
respected king among the people “who won high renown in the government of his kingdom”
(Manetho,
Aegyptiaca
, I.7b.1). Menes was also described as “whose rule in Egypt was
illustrious” (Manetho,
Aegyptiaca
, I.7a.2). When something is described as illustrious it is to
emphasize the admiration and respect towards that certain thing. King Menes had brought some
of his teachings to the people “after the gods the first king of Egypt, according to the priests, was
Menas, who taught the people to worship gods and offer sacrifices, and also to supply themselves
with tables and couches and to use costly bedding, and, in a word, introduced luxury and an
extravagant manner of life” (Diodorus,
Library of Histo
ry, I.45.1).
Overall, King Menes helped
to improve Egypt and through the readings it is apparent he was liked among the people he ruled.
An individual could argue for either point of historical sources or archaeological sources
being more beneficial when it comes to analyzing ancient history. Archaeological sources like
the Narmer Palette are important because it is a physical depiction of King Menes defeating the
people against him and uniting Upper and Lower Egypt to become one. However, I would have
to argue that historical sources like the readings provided for this assignment are better sources to
utilize when trying to reconstruct ancient history. In the opening second paragraph of Herodotus
Histories,
it is mentioned of the “early criticism of his work has been refuted by later
archaeological evidence which provides that his most often criticized claims were, in fact,
accurate or, at least, based on accepted information of the time.” Many argue historical sources
are not reliable sources, but this is because they mistranslate writings over time when in reality,
these sources are completely valid tools to use when debunking historical events. These
historical sources were written from travelers who wrote down their experiences and
observations firsthand. Historical sources are accounts of real events that have happened and
been observed; therefore, we should continue to use them as a learning tool.
Bibliography
Manetho.
Aegyptiaca
. Translated by W. G. Waddell, Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press,
1964.
Herodotus.
Histories
. Translated by g. Rawlinson, 1910.
Diodorus Siculus.
Library of History
. Translated by C. H. Oldfather, 1933.
Word Count: 434
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help