Step 3: Assessing a Source for Usefulness and Reliability
The usefulness of a source depends upon what the source is being used for. Why does this matter? Historians must be able to understand whether or not a source is useful for their particular question, otherwise they are wasting their time.
Understand that the usefulness of a source can change if the question changes.
Example: A list of tax collections in regional Egypt may not be useful if the historical question is "How useful is this source for an historian investigating Jewish religious customs." However change the question to, "How useful is this source for an historian studying taxation in Egyptian society" and the usefulness changes significantly.
Unless we are prepared to scrunch up and throw out the source, it has some aspect of usefulness and we need to analyse it. In what ways is it useful? What aspects limit the usefulness? Remember to use the appropriate terms from the previous step.
The reliability of a source is specifically questioning its provenance. Do you know where the source has come from? Can you trust the information that it gives you? This is particularly an issue in modern history with the ability to manipulate visual sources which presents a real issue in establishing the provenance and reliability of sources. Within ancient history the question can shift slightly to focus on the reliability of the information provided.
The usefulness of a source depends upon what the source is being used for. Why does this matter? Historians must be able to understand whether or not a source is useful for their particular question, otherwise they are wasting their time.
Understand that the usefulness of a source can change if the question changes.
Example: A list of tax collections in regional Egypt may not be useful if the historical question is "How useful is this source for an historian investigating Jewish religious customs." However change the question to, "How useful is this source for an historian studying taxation in Egyptian society" and the usefulness changes significantly.
Unless we are prepared to scrunch up and throw out the source, it has some aspect of usefulness and we need to analyse it. In what ways is it useful? What aspects limit the usefulness? Remember to use the appropriate terms from the previous step.
The reliability of a source is specifically questioning its provenance. Do you know where the source has come from? Can you trust the information that it gives you? This is particularly an issue in modern history with the ability to manipulate visual sources which presents a real issue in establishing the provenance and reliability of sources. Within ancient history the question can shift slightly to focus on the reliability of the information provided.
Question 6
How is this source useful for an historian studying the Spartan military?
Assistance provided below.
The question specifically asks about the usefulness of the source in relation to the Spartan military. Does this source give us specific information about the Spartan military? Not directly, it does not.
However, it does show us that the city of Sparta was in-land, i.e. not on the coast. This could indicate a predisposition towards land warfare rather than naval warfare.
Additionally, we can see that within the Peloponnese there are many other city-states such as Messenia, Arcadia, Argolis etc. This could lend support to the idea that Sparta focused on land warfare due to a need to protect itself from rival city-states within the Peloponnese.
Lastly, to get a top level answer we need to utilise our own knowledge. We know that Sparta conquered Messenia and enslaved the local populace, and using the map we can see that Messenia neighbours Lakonia. Do you think that the close proximity of the conquered Messenian population to Sparta, would have any effect on the nature and role of the Spartan military?
Use this information to help you construct your own response. The next two questions will not provide as much assistance.
Assistance provided below.
The question specifically asks about the usefulness of the source in relation to the Spartan military. Does this source give us specific information about the Spartan military? Not directly, it does not.
However, it does show us that the city of Sparta was in-land, i.e. not on the coast. This could indicate a predisposition towards land warfare rather than naval warfare.
Additionally, we can see that within the Peloponnese there are many other city-states such as Messenia, Arcadia, Argolis etc. This could lend support to the idea that Sparta focused on land warfare due to a need to protect itself from rival city-states within the Peloponnese.
Lastly, to get a top level answer we need to utilise our own knowledge. We know that Sparta conquered Messenia and enslaved the local populace, and using the map we can see that Messenia neighbours Lakonia. Do you think that the close proximity of the conquered Messenian population to Sparta, would have any effect on the nature and role of the Spartan military?
Use this information to help you construct your own response. The next two questions will not provide as much assistance.
Question 7
“Lysistrata: Welcome Lampito my dear. How are things in Sparta? Darling you look simply beautiful. Such colour, such resilience! Why I bet you could throttle a bull. |
How useful is this source for an historian studying women in Spartan society?
Minor assistance provided below. You may need to briefly research who Aristophanes was, as well as his attitudes towards Sparta. Additional information about the role of women in Spartan society can be found in your textbooks. |
Question 8
“Agesilaus to the ephors, greetings. We have subjugated the greater part of Asia, routed the Persians and established many strongholds in Ionia. But since your orders are that I come back by the date set, I am following after this letter, and shall nearly be there first. I do not hold the command in my own interest, but in that of our city and allies. After all, a genuinely dutiful commander is one who always exercises his command subject to the instructions of both laws and ephors…” |
With reference to the source and your own knowledge, how useful is this source for an historian studying the Spartan government?
Minor assistance provided below. If needed, use the TOMACRU framework before you answer this question. Ask yourself, what type of source is this, who is the source written to, what government offices are omitted, what information is given within the source? |