The Rest Is History 111. Golden Ages
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Oct 25, 2021 Delve into the allure and contradictions of historical 'Golden Ages' through captivating debates. Discover the complexities behind the Dutch Republic's rise alongside the tumult it concealed. Explore the nostalgic charm of Athens and Rome, and how perceptions of prosperity can mask underlying strife. Reflect on post-war Britain’s golden narrative and its implications for today's identity politics. Engage with the impact of literary giants like Shakespeare during England's golden age, and question whether America has truly experienced its own golden moments.
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Golden Ages: A Retrospective Construct
- Golden ages are defined retrospectively, shaped by a sense of loss and nostalgia for a perceived better time.
- This nostalgia is often fueled by comparing the "golden age" to a subsequent period of perceived decline, creating a narrative of a peak followed by a fall.
Pericles and the Golden Age of Athens
- Pericles' funeral oration, delivered during the Peloponnesian War, exemplifies the mythologization of a golden age.
- Despite war and plague, Pericles praised Athens' greatness, perhaps solidifying its image as a golden age.
Rome as an Imperial Garden
- Aelius Aristides, in 154 AD, described Rome as a magnificent garden, free of weeds, reflecting a contemporary view of a golden age.
- Gibbon later echoed this imagery in "Decline and Fall," contrasting it with the crises of the 3rd century.