DRESS AND UNDRESS IN HERODOTUS' <em>HISTORIES</em>

Abstract

In this paper I will focus on how Herodotus uses the literary elements of "dressing" (in a particular way) and "undressing" (nudity) to interweave the themes of love, power, death, and gender identity in several of his emblematic short stories. In particular I will study the tales of Gyges and Candaules of Lydia (1.8-12) and that of Xerxes and Masistes of Persia (9.108-113), which are placed, respectively, at the beginning and the end of the Histories. I will then turn my attention to the story of Periander and Melissa (5.92h), which comes precisely in the middle, and the episode of the massacre of Dareios' ambassadors in Book 5 (18-20). In all these episodes, "dressing" or "undressing" play pivotal roles.