HUMOR AND ETHNOGRAPHY IN HERODOTUS’ HISTORIES Mark Christopher Mash A dissertation submitted to the faculty of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Classics. Chapel Hill 2010 Approved by: Emily Baragwanath, Advisor Peter M. Smith, Reader Owen E. Goslin, Reader Cecil W. Wooten, Reader Fred S. Naiden, Reader ©2010 Mark Christopher Mash ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ii ABSTRACT MARK CHRISTOPHER MASH: Humor and Ethnography in Herodotus’ Histories (Under the direction of Emily Baragwanath) This dissertation examines the role of humor in Herodotus’ Histories. I argue that Herodotus’ humor is best understood in the context of his ethnography, and base my analyses on the thoughts of ancient and modern writers on humor. In particular, I incorporate anthropological perspectives on humor, and most notably ethnic humor. In chapter one, I establish the groundwork for later discussions by situating my work in the context of previous ancient and modern analyses of humor. In chapter two, I examine derision and witty retorts, starting first with Herodotus’ own ridicule of mapmakers in 4.36.2. In chapter three, I discuss the role of humorous deception in the Histories. In this interplay of humor and deception, I examine three main types: tricks that are reveled in by the instigator, tricks that are uncovered, and tricks that turn deadly. In chapter four, I take up the relationship between didacticism and humor, and show how it appears as an oblique tool by which wise advisors are able to challenge the rigidity of their recipient’s thinking. What is more, didactic humor sometimes appears by negative example, as when Cambyses laughs at Egyptian religious nomoi (3.29.1-2) or when Xerxes laughs at Spartan nomoi (7.101-105). Finally, in chapter five, I discuss memorializing humor, which I find in particular relation to monuments, battles and political disputes. iii In all, I argue that by situating humor in the context of ethnography and by recognizing that it usually refers to different people’s nomoi, we are able to understand better how Herodotus uses humor as part of his narrative technique. Moreover, I find that this same humor often reveals the influence of the current historical and cultural situation in which Herodotus was writing. iv For Carrie v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Humor is a difficult topic, and I have completed this project only through the help and faith of many different individuals. I would like to thank especially my advisor, Emily Baragwanath, whose brilliance, kindness, and understanding of Herodotus continue to astound me. Thanks also to my committee members, Cecil Wooten, Peter Smith, Owen Goslin and Fred Naiden, all of whom have helped me along the way, challenged my assertions, and corrected my mistakes. Any errors that remain are solely my own. The late Gareth Morgan introduced me to Herodotus and much like Herodotus, combined playfulness with seriousness in his teaching. I think he was one of the best readers of Herodotus’ humor I have ever met. My Latin teacher, Reid Wightman, introduced me to the classical world, recognized my potential for future study, and inspired my efforts. The wonderful faculty of the UT Austin Classics Department prepared me well for graduate study and enabled me to reach my fullest potential as an undergraduate. My life over the last decade has been tied to the UNC Chapel Hill Classics Department and its outstanding faculty who challenged me, helped me to grow intellectually and personally, and graciously supported me to the completion of my studies. My family has carried me when I needed their help the most. My parents’ love and support in my every endeavor have given me strength, my older brother John always believed in and encouraged me, and my grandparents, John and Mary Flynn, vi have celebrated my successes and have been a formative part of my education. My twin sons, Ethan and Ryan, have shown me the joy of life and helped me to understand what is truly important. And yes, boys, I am now “Dr. Daddy.” Most of all, my dear wife Carrie has blessed me and made my life most fortunate indeed. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 1 CHAPTER ONE: ANCIENT AND MODERN ANALYSES OF HUMOR ......................................... 16 I. Ancient Analyses of Humor .............................................................................................. 16 II. Modern Analyses of Humor ............................................................................................ 21 A. The Psychological Perspective ................................................................................. 21 B. The Anthropological Perspective ............................................................................ 24 i. Terminology of Humor, Laughter, and Smiling ............................................... 25 ii. Humor and Language .......................................................................................... 28 III. Forms and Definitions of Ethnic Humor ...................................................................... 33 A. Definitions of Ethnic Humor .................................................................................... 34 B. Forms of Ethnic Humor ............................................................................................. 37 C. Techniques Used in Ethnic Humor .......................................................................... 39 D. Theoretical Importance of Ethnic Humor .............................................................. 40 E. Contextual Setting of Ethnic Humor ....................................................................... 42 IV. Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 44 CHAPTER TWO: DERISION AND WITTY RETORTS .................................................................. 46 I. Persians/Greeks ................................................................................................................. 49 Cyrus to Spartiates about the Greeks (1.153) ............................................................. 49 II. The Spartans ..................................................................................................................... 52 A. Demaratus to Leotychidas’ messenger (6.67.1-3) .................................................. 54 viii B. Cleomenes to Crius (6.50) .......................................................................................... 58 C. Spartans and Samians (3.46) ..................................................................................... 62 III. The Athenians .................................................................................................................. 63 A. Themistocles to Timodemus (8.125.1-8.126.1) ....................................................... 65 B. Andrians to Themistocles (8.111.2-3) ...................................................................... 68 IV. Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 71 CHAPTER THREE: HUMOROUS DECEPTION ............................................................................. 73 I. Reveling in the Trick ......................................................................................................... 85 A. Amasis, the footbath and the bow (2.172-173) ...................................................... 86 B. Democedes and Atossa (3.129-138) .......................................................................... 94 II. Tricks Uncovered ...........................................................................................................102 The Fish Eaters and the Ethiopian king (3.17-25) ....................................................102 III. Deadly Tricks .................................................................................................................115 Alexander and the Persian Ambassadors (5.18-22) .................................................115 IV. Conclusion ......................................................................................................................120 CHAPTER FOUR: DIDACTIC HUMOR .......................................................................................122 I. Didactic Humor in the Histories ......................................................................................125 A. The Lydians ...............................................................................................................126 i. Bias/Pittacus to Croesus (1.27.1-5) ...................................................................126 ii. Sandanis to Croesus (1.71.2-4) .........................................................................129 iii. Solon and Croesus (1.30-33) ............................................................................133 iv. Cyrus to Croesus (1.88-89) ...............................................................................143 ix B. The Persians ..............................................................................................................147 i. Cambyses to the Egyptian Priests (3.29.1-2) ...................................................147 ii. Xerxes to Demaratus (7.101-105) ....................................................................151 C. The Spartans .............................................................................................................154