What is Said’s concept of Orientalism? How can it help us understand the Ancient World in Cinema?

Let’s use the replies to this post to try and develop your own understandings of Said’s discussion of Orientalisms.

How does Said define Orientalism, or discourses of the Orient, in the selection we’ve read? What does he say about it? Direct quotations are welcome in the comments, especially if you follow up with your own analyses of the direct quotations. Be sure to cite the page number you are quoting from.

What are some of the characteristics, values, and concepts that Western thinkers have associated with the idea of the Orient as they have defined it?

How can we turn Said’s ideas of Orientalism towards Herodotus’ Histories?

How can we turn Said’s ideas of Orientalism towards 300?

Can we think of examples of contemporary orientalisms?