This publication is presented to you through Paradigm Publishing Services
Yale University Press
Book
Licensed
Unlicensed
Requires Authentication
Ancient Wisdom for Polarized Times
Why Humanity Needs Herodotus, the Man Who Invented History
-
Emily Katz Anhalt
Language:
English
Published/Copyright:
2025
About this book
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.
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.
Topics
-
Download PDFPublicly Available
Frontmatter
i -
Download PDFPublicly Available
Contents
ix -
Download PDFPublicly Available
Author’s Note
xi -
Download PDFPublicly Available
Acknowledgments
xiii -
Download PDFPublicly Available
Ancient Wisdom for Polarized Times
xv -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
Introduction
1 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
1 On Faith
18 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
2 On Myth
28 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
3 On Sexual Violence
45 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
4 On Fact
59 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
5 On Happiness
68 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
6 On Self-Deception
83 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
7 On Deception
99 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
8 On Foreign Ways
112 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
9 On Foreign Tales
131 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
10 On Tyranny
153 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
11 On Types of Political Regimes
169 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
12 On Empiricism
189 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
13 On Subjugation
207 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
14 On Political Equality
221 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
15 On Freedom
237 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
16 On Autocratic Leadership
258 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
17 On Excellence
283 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
18 On Self-Control
308 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
Conclusion
333 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
Notes
343 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
Bibliography
365 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
Index
379
Publishing information
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook published on:
October 7, 2025
eBook ISBN:
9780300285673
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
