The Dissenter

#1170 Walter Scheidel: What Is Ancient History?

Oct 31, 2025
Guest
Walter Scheidel
In a thought-provoking discussion, Walter Scheidel, a historian from Stanford University, dives into the complexities of ancient history. He highlights why the focus has been largely on Greece and Rome, exposing cultural biases from the 19th century. Scheidel argues for a broader, global perspective, emphasizing the interconnectivity of ancient societies and technologies. He critiques the fragmented academic approaches and champions collaborative studies to enrich understanding. The conversation reflects on the lasting influences of ancient innovations on our modern world.
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INSIGHT

Greco-Roman Focus Is Historically Contingent

  • Western scholarship narrowed antiquity to Greece and Rome due to 18th–19th century nationalism and romanticism.
  • That legacy shaped university structures and still biases ancient studies today.
INSIGHT

The Word 'Ancient' Carries Mixed Meanings

  • The word 'ancient' once implied veneration but later gained dismissive connotations like "that's ancient history."
  • That shift complicates public appreciation and teaching of ancient studies.
INSIGHT

Ancient History As A Global Developmental Phase

  • Ancient history should be defined as a global phase of transformative development, not a fixed timespan.
  • Independent innovations across regions bundled into institutions that shape our lives today.
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