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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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