Fiona Mitchell

MONSTROUS OMENS IN HERODOTUS’ HISTORIES

Introduction

Monstrous omens in herodotus’ histories. Explore monstrous omens in Herodotus' Histories, including lions, mules, and reanimated fish. Discover how these portents, close to the Greek world, foreshadow Xerxes' defeat.

Abstract

Monstrous omens appear four times in Herodotus: a concubine of the king of Sardis gives birth to a lion (1.84), a mule is born with male and female genitalia (7.57), a horse gives birth to a hare (7.57) and some fish come back to life while being cooked (9.120). These omens are the only occasions on which monsters appear in close proximity to the Greek world; all other monsters in the Histories inhabit the lands at the extreme periphery. The lion cub is the only one of these portents to occur in the mythical past, and the mule and the hare are born in Greece. The monsters that appear as a result of the omens therefore occur in unusually close physical and chronological proximity to the audience. These omens are strongly tied to two locations. The lion and the donkey are born in Sardis. The hare is born at the site where Xerxes and his army landed in Greece. The omen of the reanimated fish is also associated with this location, because Artayctes was crucified there due to the portent of the reanimated fish. As the city in which Xerxes waited with his troops before his expedition and the site at which he entered Greece, these locations are particularly significant in the narrative of Xerxes’ failed invasion. These omens therefore associate Xerxes’ expedition with defeat and danger throughout the text.

Review

The proposed paper, "Monstrous Omens in Herodotus’ Histories," presents a compelling argument regarding the specific function and placement of monstrous portents within Herodotus's narrative. The abstract clearly articulates a central thesis: that four distinct monstrous omens, unlike other fantastic creatures in the *Histories*, appear in close physical and chronological proximity to the Greek world and the audience. Crucially, these omens are not merely decorative but are strategically located at significant points in the narrative of Xerxes' failed invasion—Sardis and the site of his landing in Greece—thereby associating his expedition with danger and ultimate defeat from various points in the text. This focused approach promises a nuanced interpretation of Herodotus’s use of the supernatural to foreshadow historical events. The strength of this project lies in its precise identification and categorization of the omens. By distinguishing these four "proximate" monstrous births and reanimations (lion cub, mule, hare, reanimated fish) from the more distant, peripheral monsters, the author establishes a valuable framework for analysis. The abstract effectively highlights the analytical significance of both geographical and chronological proximity, indicating a keen awareness of Herodotus's narrative strategies. The explicit connection drawn between these omens and pivotal locations related to Xerxes' campaign is particularly insightful, suggesting a deliberate narrative structure wherein the supernatural reinforces the historical outcome. This methodological clarity and the compelling interpretive claim that these omens prefigure Xerxes' downfall are considerable merits. While the abstract provides a strong foundation, a full paper would benefit from further elaboration on several fronts. It would be valuable to explore the specific nature of the "defeat and danger" foreshadowed by each omen and whether these portents carry distinct or cumulative meanings for Xerxes' expedition. Additionally, a deeper engagement with Herodotus's broader intellectual context regarding omens, divine intervention, and the monstrous could further enrich the analysis, situating this reading within existing scholarship on Herodotus's historiography. Finally, examining the narrative voice surrounding these omens—how they are introduced, interpreted by characters, or reflected upon by the narrator—would undoubtedly strengthen the argument regarding their intended impact on Herodotus's audience.

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