Transcript text: Who were Herodotus and Thucydides?
Solution
The answer is: historians.
Explanation for each option:
Dual kings of Sparta: This option is incorrect. Herodotus and Thucydides were not kings, nor were they associated with the political leadership of Sparta. The dual kingship was a unique feature of the Spartan political system, but it is unrelated to these two individuals.
Historians: This is the correct answer. Herodotus and Thucydides are both renowned ancient Greek historians. Herodotus is often referred to as "The Father of History" and is known for his work "The Histories," which covers the Greco-Persian Wars and includes various cultural and geographical descriptions. Thucydides is known for his work "History of the Peloponnesian War," which provides a detailed account of the conflict between Athens and Sparta. Both historians are celebrated for their contributions to the development of historical writing and methodology.
Epic poets: This option is incorrect. While epic poetry was a significant literary form in ancient Greece, Herodotus and Thucydides were not poets. Epic poets like Homer and Hesiod are known for their narrative poems, such as "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey."
Sculptors: This option is incorrect. Herodotus and Thucydides were not involved in the art of sculpture. Ancient Greek sculptors, such as Phidias and Praxiteles, were known for their contributions to art and architecture, but this does not apply to Herodotus and Thucydides.