Discussion Questions for Race and Ethnicity in Ancient
North Africa
3-8 NOTE: Frank Snowden, author of your book, who recently passed away, was one of a very few African-American classical scholars.
1. What reasons does Snowden cite for entering on his study in perceptions of black Africans in the ancient Mediterranean world? (Preface + pp. 1-2)? What significance can you see thus far this term in the Greco-Roman adoption of the proverb ÔAfrica is always producing something newÕ?
2. What ethnic groups, other than Ethiopians, are also described as Ôblack,Õ though usually in such a way that leaves Ethiopians as the Ôyardstick by which ancient peoples measured blackness (Snowden 2)? What are some of the Greek and Latin terms describing black – consider English derivatives where appropriate.
3. Define the physical descriptions, ulotrichous (6), platyrrhiny (7 ff), prognathous/subnasal prognathism (8). How does Snowden show that the description of Scybale in the poem the Moretum presents the most comprehensive physical description of Ethiopian physiognomy (8-11)
4. What other ethnic designations came to be equated with blackness? Note SnowdenÕs summary of criteria for determining a passageÕs reference to a black African or Negro (14)
5. In SnowdenÕs appendix to Chapter 1, what are some of the most distinctive cases of individuals identified as black Africans?
6. Examine the 77 plates – what different approaches did artists in different media choose to designate the distinctive physical features of black Africans? Do any themes of presentation recur, whether contextual, stylistic, symbolic, geographic, anthropological/philosophical, etc.
3-1
1. From both Bowman (and recall
Herodotus, if possible), what are several ways that the lifestyles of the
Egyptian people were completely linked to the Nile river?
2. Consider both Bowman's (and, if
possible, Herodotus') comments about agricultural practices and production in
Egypt.
3. Comment on the bits of evidence
given for Greeks adapting to Egyptian customs and language in paragraphs 1 and
2 on page 124. Why is this significant?
4. Considering the 4 quotations of
documents given on pages 126-128, what can we determine about the shifting
class structure and legal privileges existing for Egyptians under Roman rule?
5. How do Egyptian customs show in
the family and property issues on pp. 131-134?
6. Note the similarities and
differences between our modern conceptions of love, sexuality and marriage and those revealed about
Egypt on pp. 134-136.
7. Consider the housing situation
for average Egyptians as discussed on pp. 146-50. [Look at the pictures as
well]
8. Discuss diet, health and
physical possessions evidence for Egyptians on pp. 150-53.
9. Explain the full meaning and
implications of illiteracy among Egyptians on pp. 158-159. What were Egyptians
reading in native demotic (pp. 163-64)?
2-22
1. In what ways do Cleopatra and
Antony appear to adopt Egyptian habits and culture? What effect did this have
against them in their conflict with the Roman ruler Octavian (Augustus), pp.
33-37, 170?
2. How do you think the ethnic
neighborhoods described on p. 209 helped and hurt the lives of everyday
Egyptians in Alexandria?
3. Why was rioting such a big
issue in Alexandria? (pp. 212-216. What might cause it? How did ethnic tensions
contribute?
4. How did native Egyptians
contribute to the wealth of Alexandria? pp221-223.
5. How are Cleopatra and other
Egyptians characterized in the passages from Plutarch and the poem by the Roman
Horace? What are the positive and negative images presented there?
2-17
1. In what ways did Alexander and
the early Ptolemies up to Philopator (d. 205 BCE) address Egypt and Egyptians
with some terms and policies designed to win over the native population (see
Watterson pp. 193-198? What were some of the negative reactions from Egyptians
up to this point, including comment on the Battle of Raphia?
NOTE how even under the Ptolemies
the classic rivalries between Syria and Egypt over the Levant continued.
2. In regards to the PtolemiesÕ style
and process of administration, how did they show their separation from their
Egyptian subjects soon after Ptolemy I Soter took the role of pharaoh
(Watterson 209-210)? How does this show that bureaucratic efficiency can be
both progressive and oppressive? (see also question 7 below)
3. What are several of the
prominent features of the Ptolemaic Egyptian economy? What were its successes
and its shortcomings? It should be noted that Ptolemaic Egypt may have attained
population levels not matched again there until the late 19th
century.
4. How did the Greek leaders find
ways to promote Egyptian religion in ways that would sometimes appeal to these
groups individually and at other times across the ethnic divide? What themes
appear in native Egyptian demotic literature that show Egyptians connecting
with their own glorious past?
5. How do Ptolemaic temples begin
to tell structurally how the Ptolemies promoted their roles as protectors of
Egypt? How did they integrate these messages into the orientation and
decoration of temples as microcosms of Egypt (Watterson 224-225).
6. NOTE ALL REMAINING QUESTIONS
are from Bowman Egypt after the Pharaohs
linked on your website and here: 29-32, 56-65. Please
bring these texts to class with you, either printed out or in electronic
format. What do we learn about native Egyptians under the Ptolemies from the
Rosetta Stone and the Oracle of the Potter, Bowman pp. 30-31?, Hor of
Sebennytos p. 32
7. Consider the quote from p. 56
of Bowman that the Ptolemaic government was one of the most efficiently run and
most rigidly hierarchical bureaucracies ever devised. What are the apparent advantages
and disadvantages of such a system? Explain the importance of the three quoted
passages on pages 58 and 59 as reflections on this system.
8. Examine the difference between
the power structures and requirements in Greek Egypt (top of p. 61) and in the
late Pharaonic period (1st paragraph of 61). Advantages and disadvantages of
each?
9. How was justice dispensed
between Egyptian natives and Greeks (pp. 61-top of 63)? Where are the equities
and inequities in this system?
10. What important things about
Greek-controlled Egypt do we learn from the Egyptian Dionysius, pp. 63-65?
2-10
Asychis |
Sheshonq I |
XXII (Libyan) 945-924 |
2.136 |
Anysis |
Sheshonq III + others |
XXIII (Libyan) 818-715 |
2.137 |
Sabacos |
Shabaka + Taharqa + Tantamani |
XXV (Nubian) 716-702, 690-664,
664-656 |
2.137-140, 152 |
Sethos |
Shabitku |
XXV (Nubian) 702-690 |
2.141 |
Necho I |
|
Assyrian puppet |
2.152 |
Psammetichus I |
Psamtik I |
XXVI (Egyptians at Sais) 664-610 |
2.152ff |
Necho II |
|
XXVI 610-595 |
2.158-159 |
Psammis |
Psamtik II |
XXVI 595-589 |
2.160-161 |
Apries |
|
XXVI 589-570 |
2.161-169 |
Amasis |
|
XXVI 570-526 |
2.162-3.10 |
Psammenitus |
Psamtik III |
XXVI 526-525 |
3.10,14-15 |
1. What various ethnic groups
controlled Egypt, directly or indirectly, 945-664 (Watterson 175-178)? How do
they show their continuation of Egyptian traditions through their programs and
policies (see also Herodotus p. 149-152)? Note that Sethos is a Nubian pharaoh,
but that Herodotus misses this detail – how does Sethos, even in
HerodotusÕ account, appear to be a foreign ruler?
2. What is the importance of
bronze in the stories of Psammetichus (pp. 156-158)?
3. Note the class structure
suggested by Herodotus. (pp.162-163 - sections 164-168) and read the note on p.
629.
4. What is significant about the
story of Amasis on pp. 164-165 (sections 172-174)? What relation did Amasis and
other XXVI dynasty leaders have to Greeks (Ionians, Carians,etc.) – see
Herodotus and Watterson p. 179 – and what ethnic influences to Egypt resulted
from this dynastyÕs continued wars in Palestine?
NOTE: Naucratis (p. 167) in the
Delta of Egypt was the city most open to Greek and other foreign trade under
the late pharaohs. This is where many of the Ionian Greek mercenaries lived.
5. Discuss the various theories
(pp.169-170) Herodotus examines for understanding why Cambyses, king of Persia,
invaded Egypt in 525 BCE. Especially note how these theories involve reactions
to things done by Egyptians.
6. Consider what Herodotus tells
us about the Arabians, the Greek mercenariesÕ punishment of Phanes for bringing
Persians into Egypt, and his observations on the physiques of Egyptians and
Persians (pp. 171-173)
7. Note the importance of the
story of Cambyses and pharaoh Psammenitus (174-175).
8. List several of the disgraces
Cambyses performed that offended the Egyptians and also seemed to indicate to
them and Herodotus that Cambyses went insane around the time he invaded Egypt.
9. Identify the traits of the
people known as the Fish-eaters and the Ethiopians as discussed on pp. 176-180.
10. How did the post-Nubian 26th
dynasty exemplify nativist pride in Egyptian heritage in its policies and
artistic styles? (Watterson 178, 190)? How did Persian control of Egypt differ
from earlier foreign control there? (Watterson 181-182, 185-186)?
2-3 Pharaoh names in Herodotus and
standard Egyptian equivalents:
Min/Menes |
Narmer or Aha |
Dynasty I, c. 3100-2900 BCE |
Herod. Book 2. chapter 99-100 |
Cheops |
Khufu |
IV c. 2589-2566 |
2.124-128 |
Chephren |
Khafre |
IV c. 2558-2533 |
2.127-128 |
Mycerinus |
Menkaure |
IV c. 2533-2505 |
2.129-134 |
Nitocris |
Nitocris (but some memories of
Hatshepsut?) |
VI c. 2175-2173 XVIII 1479-1457 |
2.100 |
Moeris |
Amenemhet III |
XII 1843-1789 |
2.101 |
Sesostris |
Senwosret I & III |
XII 1943-1898,1862-1843 |
2.102-111 |
Rhampsinitus |
Ramesses I-IV |
XIX-XX 1295-94,1279-13 1184-53,1153-47 |
2.121-124 |
1. Compare and contrast the 12th
dynastyÕs struggles with Nubia (see also Herod 2.106&110) and the 13th
and 17thÕs reactions to the Asiatic Hyksos as described in ethnic
terms. Watterson 53-60
2. What lasting effects on
Egyptian culture resulted from the rule of the Hyksos (c. 1650-1550),
especially in lower Egypt?
3. Describe several of the more
significant examples cited by Watterson 64-68 that show the development of
EgyptÕs (by Greek standards) distinctive religion centered around animal
symbolism from predynastic through Old Kingdom Egypt. How are Re, Horus, the
nbty Ô2 ladiesÕ and Osiris inexplicably tied to the political and societal
expansion of Egypt?
4. Identify several of the
environmental and geographical factors that have historically influenced the
basic house structure in Egypt and note the general architectural response to
this climate. Briefly note the evidence from el-Lahun.
5. What idealized realities
frequently appear in early Egyptian sculpture and tomb paintings?
6. Note the excitement of
travel/conquest narratives that appear in the biographical texts on Watterson
93-94
7. Consider the Egyptian idea of
afterlife as expressed by Herodotus on p. 144 (section 123). Compare this to
Watterson 68-69
8. What were the character and
actions of each of the 3 pyramid-building kings (Cheops, Chephren, Mycerinus) and
how do you think Herod. came to those conclusions? (pp.144-148). Compare
HerodotusÕ comments about the pyramidsÕ construction costs with Watterson
51-52, 62-63 and the lead up to the First Intermediate Period. Notice that
Herod. has the pyramid pharaohs WAY out of place chronologically
9. Notice the role of Sabacos, king
of Nubia who also ruled all of Egypt (pp.150-151), and how Herod introduces his
rule. How does Herodotus mark the accomplishments and end of his rule.
2-1
1. What is especially interesting
about the Egyptians and their treatment of animals (esp. cat, crocodile,
snakes, ibis) Herodotus pp. 121-124
2. Herodotus begins a second
description of Egyptian customs on p. 124-129. Please note all the important
customs described here (note Herod's details on mummification). How is this set
of customs different from his earlier description on pp. 108-110? Why 2
different lists?
3. How are the Egyptians of the
marshlands (Delta) different from those upriver according to Herodotus? pp.
129-131
4. Please examine Herodotus'
statement about his sources on p. 132 and what that should mean to us and his
original readers.
5. What criteria does Herodotus
use to determine the ethnicity of the Colchians? ( p. 134) look at his
statements on skin color and circumcision
6. Examine Herodotus' description
of each of these Egyptian rulers: Nitocris (pp. 132-33), Sesostris (p. 133,
134-136, note p 625), Rhampsinitus (esp. consider why the long story attached
here, 141-44).
1-27
1. From both Watterson and
Herodotus, what are several ways that the lifestyles of the Egyptian people
were strongly linked to the Nile river – consider the calendar as well as
geographical questions? How did the desert surrounding the Nile further impact
Egyptian lifestyles and cultural development? Note the Egyptian names for their
lands on Watterson p. 9 as part of this consideration
2. Consider both Watterson's and
Herodotus' comments about agricultural practices and production in Egypt and
what this says about the development of Egyptian society, especially across
class lines.
3. On Watterson pp. 13-17, what
basic foundation has been laid for discussion of a distinctive Egyptian outlook
on questions of race and gender?
Herodotus (p. 95) - Psammetichus
was the first Pharaoh to actively admit Greek-speaking people into Egypt
4. Why does Herodotus start off
this book with the story about "scientifically" determining whether
Egypt was the world's oldest culture? What is good and bad about the method
used here?
5. What "firsts" were
the Egyptians responsible for according to Herodotus?
6. Consider Herodotus'
"scientific" methods regarding the silting and annual flooding of the
Nile.
Please look at the first map in
the back of your Herodotus book called "Herodotus' world" and compare
it to map D.
7. What is important about the
story of the Deserters on p. 106 of Herodotus?
8. Read very carefully from p. 108
Herodotus' description of what's unique about the Egyptian people. What does he
get right and what wrong? Know all the ways that cleanliness enters into
Egyptian culture and why.
9. What significant cultural
similarities and differences are detectable in the Predynastic cultures of
Lower Egypt/Delta and Upper Egypt? Note especially the Faiyum, Merimda, MaÕadi,
Badarian and Naqada cultures – what archaeological remains/relics are the
main subject of study for determining the dates and societal structures of
these cultures?
10. Summarize the very important
conclusions made by Watterson on pp. 39-41 on the technological differences
between Predynastic Upper and Lower Egypt and what that meant for the ultimate
development of a unified Egypt? What cultural effects may have been or were
dependent on Lower EgyptÕs proximity to western Asia?
11. What cultural conclusions may
be discerned from the names of the first Dynasty kings of Upper Egypt? What
changes in burial practice during this period seem to be a direct response to
cultural necessities in developing stronger more vibrant societies across all
classes and trades?