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Colin Elliott On The Art Of Navigating Lessons From History To The Modern World

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Feb 14, 2024

Guest

Colin Elliott

Colin Elliott, an Assistant Professor in History at Indiana University and expert on the Roman Empire, shares intriguing insights on societal responses to pandemics. He draws parallels between the Antonine Plague and modern-day COVID-19, critiquing responses and advocating for a science-driven approach. Elliott emphasizes the importance of leadership during crises, reflecting on Marcus Aurelius's Stoic philosophy and its relevance today. The conversation also highlights historical injustices and the need for accountability as we navigate future public health challenges.

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ANECDOTE

Marcus Aurelius's Tumultuous Reign

Marcus Aurelius's reign faced numerous setbacks, including a Tiber flood, Parthian invasion, and Germanic wars.
These events, coupled with economic woes and personal tragedies, tested his leadership.

insights

INSIGHT

Meditations: Not Depressing, But Inspiring

Marcus Aurelius's "Meditations" reflects his struggles but also his resilience.
His writings are not depressing, but rather show profound optimism and perseverance.

insights

INSIGHT

Rome's Double-Edged Connectivity

The Roman Empire, vast and diverse, was surprisingly connected due to its road networks and maritime routes.
This connectivity facilitated both prosperity and the rapid spread of disease.

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

Challenges and Resilience: The Reign of Marcus Aurelius

05:36 • 23min

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The Legacy of Pax Romana

28:33 • 4min

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Navigating Plague and Dignity: Marcus Aurelius's Stoic Response

33:01 • 5min

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Leadership and Plagues: Lessons from Rome

38:01 • 23min

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Lessons of Injustice: Reflections on Roman Society and Modern Implications

01:01:24 • 6min

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Lessons from Pandemic History

01:07:20 • 15min

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Timeless Connections: Nature's Witnesses to History

01:21:54 • 5min

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The obstacle is the way

Ryan Holiday

In 'The Obstacle Is the Way', Ryan Holiday presents a framework for turning obstacles into successes. Drawing from the philosophy of Stoicism and the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Holiday outlines three disciplines: perception, action, and will. He illustrates these principles with historical anecdotes from figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Ulysses S. Grant, and Steve Jobs. The book emphasizes the importance of perception in shaping one's response to obstacles, the need for intentional and creative action, and the cultivation of will to persist through challenges. Holiday argues that by adopting these Stoic principles, individuals can transform their obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.

Meditations

Marcus Aurelius

Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature. Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.

Growth Hacker Marketing

Ryan Holiday

In this book, Ryan Holiday explains how the marketing landscape has changed and introduces the concept of growth hacking. He argues that traditional marketing methods are no longer effective and presents a new approach that emphasizes achieving product-market fit, targeting specific groups, and creating viral growth through scalable and trackable methods. The book includes case studies from companies like Dropbox, Instagram, and Airbnb, highlighting how these businesses achieved massive growth without traditional marketing. Holiday stresses the importance of continuous product optimization and user feedback to drive exponential growth.

Ego is the Enemy

Ryan Holiday

In *Ego Is the Enemy*, Ryan Holiday delves into the concept of ego and its detrimental effects on personal and professional success. The book is divided into three sections: Aspiration, Success, and Failure, each offering valuable lessons and perspectives. Holiday draws on a vast array of stories and examples from literature, philosophy, and history, featuring figures such as George Marshall, Jackie Robinson, Katharine Graham, Bill Belichick, and Eleanor Roosevelt. These individuals achieved great success by conquering their own egos, and their strategies and tactics are presented as models for readers. The book emphasizes the importance of staying grounded, continually learning, and embracing a mindset of growth rather than letting ego hinder development.

Caste

The Origins of Our Discontents

Antonio Francisco Rodríguez Esteban

Isabel Wilkerson

In this book, Isabel Wilkerson argues that racism in the United States is part of a broader caste system—a society-wide system of social stratification characterized by hierarchy, inclusion, and exclusion. She defines eight pillars that underlie caste systems across civilizations, including divine will, heredity, and dehumanization. Wilkerson uses historical documentation, insightful analogies, and powerful anecdotes to illustrate how this caste system permeates American society, affecting people's lives and behavior. The book also explores the consequences of caste and the possibility of a world without it, emphasizing the need for collective effort to dismantle such systems.

Pox Romana

The Plague That Shook the Roman World

Colin Elliott

In "Pox Romana" untersucht Colin Elliott die Antoninische Pest, eine verheerende Epidemie im Römischen Reich. Das Buch beleuchtet die Auswirkungen der Krankheit auf die Gesellschaft, die Wirtschaft und das Militär. Elliott analysiert historische Quellen und präsentiert neue Erkenntnisse über den Verlauf und die Folgen der Pandemie. Er widerlegt gängige Mythen und bietet eine umfassende Darstellung der Krankheit. Das Buch ist eine wichtige Quelle für das Verständnis der Antoninischen Pest und ihrer Bedeutung für die Geschichte des Römischen Reichs.

Moral Letters to Lucilius

Seneca

Seneca's "Moral Letters to Lucilius" is a collection of personal letters offering guidance on Stoic philosophy and practical living. The letters cover a wide range of topics, including virtue, happiness, death, and the pursuit of wisdom. Seneca's writing style is engaging and accessible, making complex philosophical ideas understandable to a wider audience. The letters offer both theoretical discussions and practical advice, making them a valuable resource for those seeking self-improvement. Their enduring relevance lies in their timeless wisdom and their focus on living a meaningful life.

The Great Influenza

The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History

Amelia Pérez de Villlar

John M. Barry

Amelia Pérez de Villlar

The book examines the origin, spread, and consequences of the 1918 influenza pandemic. It traces the virus to Haskell County, Kansas, and details how it spread globally through military camps and troop movements during World War I. Barry discusses the scientific efforts to identify the pathogen, the failure to develop an effective vaccine at the time, and the significant social and political factors that exacerbated the pandemic. The book also highlights the long-term impact of the pandemic, including the revolutionary scientific discoveries that followed, such as Oswald Avery's proof that DNA carries genetic information.

On this episode of the Daily Stoic Podcast, Ryan talks with economic and social historian Colin Elliott. They delve into the complexities surrounding the societal response to the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing parallels with the ancient Antonine Plague. Elliott criticizes the lockdown measures and emphasizes the need for a nuanced and science-oriented approach. He highlights the decentralized nature of society and the diverse capacities within it, including healthcare, communities, and various institutions. The discussion touches upon the importance of accountability and learning from past mistakes, along with his book, Pox Romana, offers a comprehensive, wide-ranging account of the world’s first pandemic: the Antonine plague.

Colin P. Elliott is an Assistant Professor in the Department of History at Indiana University, Bloomington. He has published interdisciplinary research on the economic, social and environmental history of the Roman Empire, and his next project explores intersections between its economy and the environment. He has a PhD in Ancient History from University of Bristol and a BA in History from University of Oregon. He also received the David and Cheryl Morley Early Career Award for Outstanding Teaching (2021) and a Trustees Teaching Award (2016).

Check out Colin's books: Pox Romana: The Plague That Shook the Roman World and Economic Theory and the Roman Monetary Economy

Check out Colin's podcast, The Pax Romana Podcast. The Pax Romana Podcast is available everywhere podcasts can be found.

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