Question

the ancient greek historian herodotus (c. 484–425 bce), who encountered many nomadic groups during his travels in the eurasian steppe, described pastoralist scythians as:
\having neither cities nor forts and carrying their dwellings with them wherever they go: accustomed, moreover, one and all of them, to shoot from horseback: and living not by husbandry but on their cattle, their wagons the only houses that they possess, how can they fail of being unconquerable, and unassailable even.\
according to source 11, what is central argument of herodotus’s excerpt?
○ because the scythians carry everything with them, they have no cities that can be taken away
○ because the scythians can shoot from horseback, they have a military advantage in battle
○ because the scythians live off their cattle and not farming, they were not worried about disease
○ because the scythians live in their wagons, they are easy for enemies to ambush and attack

Explanation:

To determine the exception, we analyze each option against Herodotus's description:

• Option 1: The text says they carry dwellings (wagons) and have no cities/forts, so this aligns (no fixed cities to take).
• Option 2: The text states they can "shoot from horseback", which is a military advantage, so this aligns.
• Option 3: The text mentions they live by husbandry (cattle) not farming, but there's no mention of disease or worry about it. This does not align with the source.
• Option 4: The text says they are "unassailable" and carry dwellings, but the option says they are easy to ambush, which contradicts. Wait, re - evaluating: The source says they are unassailable. But let's re - check the options. Wait, the question is "what is central argument of Herodotus’s except?". Wait, the options: The fourth option says "Because the Scythians live in their wagons, they are easy for enemies to ambush and attack". But the source says they are "unassailable". However, the third option: The source has no mention of disease or them not worrying about it. The source talks about their lifestyle (no cities, shoot from horseback, live by cattle, unassailable). So the third option's reasoning (about disease) is not part of Herodotus's argument here. The other options relate to their mobile lifestyle (carry everything, shoot from horseback, unassailable vs. the wrong claim in option 4? Wait, no, let's re - read the options:

Wait the options:

1. Because the Scythians carry everything with them, they have no cities that can be taken away. (Aligns: no cities, carry dwellings)
2. Because the Scythians can shoot from horseback, they have a military advantage in battle. (Aligns: "to shoot from horseback")
3. Because the Scythians live off their cattle and not farming, they were not worried about disease. (Source has no mention of disease or this reasoning)
4. Because the Scythians live in their wagons, they are easy for enemies to ambush and attack. (Contradicts: source says "unassailable")

But the question is "what is central argument of Herodotus’s except?". Wait, maybe I misread. Wait the source says they are unassailable, so option 4 is wrong, but option 3: the source says they live by husbandry (cattle) not farming, but there's no info about disease. So which is the exception? Wait the question is asking which is NOT part of his central argument. Let's check the source text again: "Having neither cities nor forts and carrying their dwellings with them wherever they go: accustomed, moreover, one and all of them, to shoot from horseback: and living not by husbandry but on their cattle, their wagons the only houses that they possess, how can they fail of being unconquerable, and unassailable even."

So the central arguments are: no cities/forts, carry dwellings, shoot from horseback, live on cattle, unassailable.

Now the options:

• Option 1: Relates to no cities (since they carry everything) – part of argument.
• Option 2: Relates to shooting from horseback – part of argument.
• Option 3: Talks about disease – not in source.
• Option 4: Says they are easy to ambush – contradicts "unassailable", but the source says they are unassailable. But the question is which is the exception (not part of his argument). Wait, maybe the question is which is NOT a central argument. The third option's reasoning (about disease) is not in the source. The fourth option is a contradiction, but the third option's premise (about disease) is not mentioned at all. So the third option is the one that is not part of Herodotus's argument here.

Answer:

Because the Scythians live off their cattle and not farming, they were not worried about disease.