On Ancient History and Our Shared Heritage: Interview with Professor Walter Scheidel

9 snips

Jun 5, 2025

Walter Scheidel, Dickinson Professor of the Humanities at Stanford University, sheds light on the relevance of ancient history to modern society. He argues for its importance in understanding our shared human heritage. The conversation challenges traditional Mediterranean-centric views, advocating for a global perspective on ancient civilizations. Scheidel emphasizes the intricate connections between ancient societies and modern cultures, proposing a more inclusive approach to historical study. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion about the legacies that shape our contemporary world.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Narrow Definition of Ancient History

Ancient history is often narrowly defined as Greek and Roman history and their neighbors.
This limited scope misses the vast majority of ancient human history worldwide.

INSIGHT

Ancient History as Foundational History

The foundational phase of human development emerged after the Holocene with villages, food production, cities, and states.
This phase set a global trajectory that still shapes the modern world today.

INSIGHT

Shared Human Propensity for Societies

Despite cultural variations, humans share a propensity to form larger social networks and states.
These adaptive behaviors lead to similar social structures globally that have determined our future trajectory.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

The Dawn of Everything

A New History of Humanity

David Wengrow

David Graeber

This book offers a dramatically new understanding of human history, challenging fundamental assumptions about social evolution, the development of agriculture, cities, the state, democracy, and inequality. Graeber and Wengrow argue that traditional theories of human history, such as those posited by Hobbes and Rousseau, are not supported by anthropological or archaeological evidence. Instead, they show that humans have lived in large, complex, but decentralized societies for millennia, often without ruling elites or hierarchical systems. The authors draw on extensive research in archaeology and anthropology to reveal a history that is more varied and hopeful than previously assumed, emphasizing human experimentation with different social arrangements and the potential for new forms of freedom and societal organization.

Escape from Rome

The Failure of Empire and the Road to Prosperity

Walter Scheidel

In "Escape from Rome" untersucht Walter Scheidel den Untergang des Römischen Reichs und seine langfristigen Folgen. Scheidel argumentiert, dass der Zusammenbruch des Imperiums letztendlich zu einem wirtschaftlichen Aufschwung in Europa führte. Das Buch analysiert die komplexen Faktoren, die zum Fall Roms beitrugen, und stellt die traditionelle Sichtweise auf den Niedergang des Imperiums in Frage. Scheidel präsentiert eine neue Perspektive auf die Geschichte Europas und die Entwicklung des Wohlstands. Das Buch ist eine wichtige Lektüre für alle, die sich für die römische Geschichte und die Entwicklung Europas interessieren.

How to Survive Against the Odds

Tales & Tips for Animal Attacks and Natural Disasters

William Morrow

This survival guidebook delves into real-life stories of individuals facing life-threatening situations, offering insights into their survival strategies. It features expert advice from doctors and psychologists, explaining the physiological and psychological responses to such events. The book provides practical tips for mental and physical resilience during crises. It also emphasizes crucial actions to take and avoid in survival scenarios. Ultimately, it aims to empower readers with knowledge to increase their chances of survival.

What Is Ancient History?

Ting Morris

Achilles Beside Gilgamesh

Clarke, Michael

The Great Leveler

Violence and the History of Inequality from the Stone Age to the 21st Century

Walter Scheidel

Walter Scheidel's "The Great Leveler" examines the historical relationship between violence and inequality. The book argues that significant reductions in inequality have almost always been preceded by large-scale violent events. Scheidel identifies four key factors—mass-mobilization warfare, transformative revolutions, state collapse, and pandemics—as the primary drivers of wealth redistribution. He analyzes various historical periods, demonstrating how these catastrophic events have reshaped societal structures and wealth distribution. The book challenges conventional wisdom about economic development and inequality, suggesting that peaceful progress alone is insufficient to address deep-seated economic disparities.