Tom Holland, an award-winning historian and co-presenter of the popular history podcast, shares insights from his book, Dominion. The conversation dives into Christianity's profound influence on modern morality and historical interpretations of key events like the crucifixion. Holland examines moral frameworks from ancient civilizations, the darker legacies of Christianity, and tensions between religious and secular identities today. They explore the challenges posed by migration, ethical dilemmas, and the complex dynamics of faith, ethics, and the ongoing cultural transformations.
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insights INSIGHT
Paradoxical Appeal of Christianity
Christianity's appeal is paradoxical, as its symbol, a crucified man, represents abject failure.
Yet, this symbol became globally inspiring, unlike deified Roman figures.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Modern Crucifixions in Sinjar
Tom Holland witnessed crucifixions in Sinjar by ISIS, who viewed it as Romans did.
This experience highlighted how the value of a tortured person underpins Western morals.
insights INSIGHT
Pathological Ethics of Antiquity
Ancient ethics, like the Roman ideal of strength over weakness, appear pathological today.
We judge jihadists similarly, but rarely apply such moral judgment to Greeks and Romans.
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In 'In the Shadow of the Sword', Tom Holland provides a sweeping narrative of the late antique world, detailing the decline of the Roman and Persian empires and the emergence of Islam. The book critically examines the traditional sources of Islamic history, questioning the accuracy of early accounts and proposing alternative perspectives on the origins of Islam. Holland's work is both a historical exploration and a provocative reevaluation of the period.
The Tale of Genji
Murasaki Shikibu
Written in the 11th century, 'The Tale of Genji' is a comprehensive narrative that explores the life of Prince Genji, the 'Shining Prince', against the backdrop of Japan's Heian period. The novel delves into Genji's numerous romantic entanglements, personal struggles, and the societal expectations he faces. It is a rich tapestry of themes including love, fleeting beauty, and the complexities of relationships defined by honor, desire, and tragedy. The story also provides a detailed insight into the culture of the aristocracy in early Heian Japan, including its forms of entertainment, daily life, and moral code. The novel is known for its poetic and aesthetic elements, incorporating over 800 waka poems, and its exploration of human emotions and the transience of life[1][3][5].
Heart of Darkness
Joseph Conrad
Heart of Darkness, written by Joseph Conrad, is a novella that examines the horrors of Western colonialism. The story is narrated by Marlow, who recounts his journey as a riverboat captain for a Belgian trading company in the Congo. Marlow's journey takes him deep into the African jungle, where he encounters the enigmatic and brutal ivory trader Kurtz. The novella delves into themes of power dynamics, morality, and the psychological impact of colonialism on both the colonizers and the colonized. It is a landmark of modern fiction, known for its narrative and symbolic power, as well as its acute psychological penetration[2][3][5].
Dominion : how the Christian revolution remade the world
Tom Holland
The Lives of the Twelve Caesars
Suetonius
This work, written in AD 121, is a comprehensive biographical account of the Roman emperors from Julius Caesar to Domitian. Suetonius provides detailed narratives of their lives, including their personal habits, political actions, and the moral lessons that can be drawn from their reigns. The book is notable for its candid and often unflattering portrayal of these powerful men, highlighting the corrupting influence of absolute power and the moral decadence that accompanied the decline of the Roman Empire.
Histories
Herodotus
The Histories by Herodotus is a foundational work in Western historical literature. It chronicles the Greco-Persian Wars (499–479 BCE) and provides a comprehensive background on the rise and organization of the Persian Empire. The work is divided into nine books, each named after one of the Muses. Herodotus describes the conflicts between the Greeks and Persians, including key battles such as Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis, Plataea, and Mycale. He also delves into the cultural, ethnographical, geographical, and historiographical aspects of the civilizations involved, offering a rich tapestry of historical and mythological narratives. Despite some criticisms for including legendary accounts, much of Herodotus's work has been validated by modern historians and archaeologists[1][2][3].
Sam Harris speaks with Tom Holland about his book, Dominion: How theChristianRevolution Remade the World. They discuss the enduring influence of Christianity on the modern world, historical interpretations of crucifixion, the moral systems of ancient societies, Paul's letters, the impact of the parable of the Good Samaritan, Islam and how it relates to Christian notions of morality, secular sources of morality, the collision between Western norms and traditional Islam, how Western societies take their values for granted, the relevance of the Roman Republic and the French Revolution, and other topics.
Tom Holland is an award-winning historian, translator, and broadcaster. His most recent book, Pax, covers the heyday of the Roman Empire. He has translated Herodotus and Suetonius for Penguin Classics. He is a co-presenter of the world’s most popular history podcast, The Rest Is History. He has written and presented several TV documentaries on subjects ranging from the Islamic State to dinosaurs. He is a trustee of the British Library, an honorary fellow of Queens’ College, Cambridge, and has been described in The Times as “a leading English cricketer.” He caught his first salmon last October.
Learning how to train your mind is the single greatest investment you can make in life. That’s why Sam Harris created the Waking Up app. From rational mindfulness practice to lessons on some of life’s most important topics, join Sam as he demystifies the practice of meditation and explores the theory behind it.
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