Reading Guide for Holberg and Herodotus

1) How do both Herodotus and Niels Klim try to find rational explanations for things?

2) Explain four differences between the ancient cultures that Herodotus observes and the subterranean peoples Niels Klim encounters in his travels beneath the earth.

3) Herodotus does not necessarily think that verifiable facts are superior to fiction as a means for seeking and relating the truth about human life and Holberg writes a satire in which he tells you that learned people should believe in the wonderful, or fantastic elements in his story.  What do you think that the authors are trying to tell you about human nature in their stories which contain fantastic elements? 

4) How do both authors demonstrate that human prosperity never remains in the same place?