.... My god,... history is so sexy...
Watching some PBS special documentary.
'Athens: Dawn of Democracy'.... I am in awe.
The corresponding time lines between the rise of Greece and the rise of America... it is... beautiful... it is perfect. Its not just "familiar"... it might as well be a memory of this generation, not 2,500 years ago.
Every word from every classical historian's mouth sounds like something being said about American history...
The founding, the idea of popular government decided upon, the Revolution, Westward expansion, the Civil War, the industrial revolution, our part in WWI, The Depression, our part in WWII and our rise to military supremecy, The Boom, Peaceful Social Revolution,.... the order is the same,...
I am speechless.
Their excitement at the new Democratic idea, how important it was for things to be 'fair', how EVERYBODY (well, white male citizens;) got to be a part of the process, how they built an army, dealt with greed, dealt with famine, how they desired social justice and equality. They had welfare, a food bank, universal health care, the arts were 90% publicly funded (theatre, visual, written, physical),.... smart people. Smart people.
Their view of women was so different, though. Women were bought/sold, yes... but not because they were "lesser" but more because there was a superstitious belief that they were powerful demons who could control men and do wild things. They HAD to be controlled. That was the early belief, at least.
The urge to finally read The Fall of Rome is getting ever-stronger...
History just repeats and repeats and repeats....
Talking with Sharon, we agreed that EVERYONE should be forced to closely learn about a 200 year span in history. It didnt matter the era or culture... but that that can practically equip you for an intimate understanding of society, culture and politics not just currently, but in the future.
'Athens: Dawn of Democracy'.... I am in awe.
The corresponding time lines between the rise of Greece and the rise of America... it is... beautiful... it is perfect. Its not just "familiar"... it might as well be a memory of this generation, not 2,500 years ago.
Every word from every classical historian's mouth sounds like something being said about American history...
The founding, the idea of popular government decided upon, the Revolution, Westward expansion, the Civil War, the industrial revolution, our part in WWI, The Depression, our part in WWII and our rise to military supremecy, The Boom, Peaceful Social Revolution,.... the order is the same,...
I am speechless.
Their excitement at the new Democratic idea, how important it was for things to be 'fair', how EVERYBODY (well, white male citizens;) got to be a part of the process, how they built an army, dealt with greed, dealt with famine, how they desired social justice and equality. They had welfare, a food bank, universal health care, the arts were 90% publicly funded (theatre, visual, written, physical),.... smart people. Smart people.
Their view of women was so different, though. Women were bought/sold, yes... but not because they were "lesser" but more because there was a superstitious belief that they were powerful demons who could control men and do wild things. They HAD to be controlled. That was the early belief, at least.
The urge to finally read The Fall of Rome is getting ever-stronger...
History just repeats and repeats and repeats....
Talking with Sharon, we agreed that EVERYONE should be forced to closely learn about a 200 year span in history. It didnt matter the era or culture... but that that can practically equip you for an intimate understanding of society, culture and politics not just currently, but in the future.