Ancient wisdom for polarized times : why humanity needs Herodotus, the man who invented history / Emily Katz Anhalt.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Anhalt, Emily Katz, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Herodotus--Criticism and interpretation.

Herodotus.

Herodotus. History.

Political science--Philosophy.

Political science.

Greece--History.

Greece.

Physical Description:

xiv, 394 pages : map ; 23 cm

Other Title:

Why humanity needs Herodotus, the man who invented history

Place of Publication:

New Haven, Connecticut : Yale University Press, [2025]

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

"How the wisdom of Herodotus can fortify us against political falsehoods and violent extremism. Nearly 2,500 years ago, the Greek writer Herodotus introduced the concept of objective truth derived from factual investigation and empirical deduction. Writing just before the start of the catastrophic Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE), Herodotus addressed an increasingly polarized Greek world. His Histories demonstrates that the capacity for humane moral action depends on the ability to resist unthinking allegiance to authoritative fictions. Herodotus offers an indispensable, nonpartisan approach for countering poisonous ideologies and violent conflict emanating from all extremes of the political kaleidoscope. Interpreting some of Herodotus's most compelling stories, Emily Katz Anhalt illuminates this ancient writer's vital insights concerning sexual violence, deception, foreign ways, political equality, and more. The Histories urges us to value reality, restrain destructive passions, and acknowledge the essential humanity of every human being--crucial guidance for navigating our own divisive and volatile political climate. Inviting us to take responsibility for our own choices and their consequences, Herodotus exposes autocratic leadership and abuses of power as self-defeating. Herodotus guides readers in assembling and assessing information, distinguishing fact from fiction, and making compassionate moral evaluations. The ancient Greeks never achieved an egalitarian, just society. Herodotus equips us to do better."--from the inside front and back flaps.

Contents:

Author's Note

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Inventing history

On faith

On myth

On sexual violence

On fact

On happiness

On self-deception

On deception

On foreign ways

On foreign tales

On tyranny

On types of political regimes

On Empiricism

On Subjugation

On political equality

On freedom

On autocratic leadership

On excellence

On self-control

Preserving Humanity

Notes

Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Includes bibliographic references and index.

ISBN:

0300272871

9780300272871

OCLC:

1544800376