History Extra podcast Wolfmen and amazons: why did the Greeks and Romans demonise their neighbours?
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Mar 14, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Dr. Owen Rees, an expert on ancient world history, uncovers how the Greeks and Romans viewed their neighbors through a lens of fear and superiority. He dives into the mythical accounts of Amazons and wolf-men, reflecting their cultural misunderstandings. The conversation explores the complexities of cultural identity at empire frontiers and reveals how these historical perspectives shape modern views on 'us versus them.' Dr. Rees also highlights the rich narratives that challenge traditional historical boundaries.
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Importance of Peripheral Perspectives
- Examining ancient history from the frontiers of empires reveals diverse stories beyond the usual centers of power.
- Focusing on the periphery allows us to discover what life was like for normal people.
Challenging Dominant Perspectives
- Getting beyond the dominant Greco-Roman perspective requires asking different questions of existing texts.
- Combining textual analysis with archaeological evidence provides a more holistic understanding.
Cultural Superiority and Othering
- Cultural superiority appears to be a common trait of expanding empires, used to justify their expansion.
- This “othering” creates a group identity by defining what the group is not, often leading to civilizing missions.
