The Rest Is History cover image

408. The Nazis in Power: Hitler's Dream (Part 5)

The Rest Is History

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History's Fabrication: The Allure of an Inherited aryan Glory

Nazi ideology, particularly under Hitler, constructs a narrative that positions the Germans as racially linked to the esteemed civilizations of Greece and Rome, thereby asserting a glorious historical lineage. This idea draws from 19th-century German intellectual circles that claim a Nordic origin for these ancient cultures. The Nazis adopted symbols like the swastika, believed to represent their connection to an Aryan past, as it appeared in various ancient societies, including Northern India and Persia. Hitler’s interpretation of these connections was extreme, claiming that notable ancient civilizations were progenitors of the Aryan race, a view that distinguished Nazi beliefs from other nationalist movements of the time. This narrative fosters a sense of superiority rooted in a fabricated grand heritage, with figures like Pericles being romanticized as Aryan leaders despite historical inaccuracies. Ultimately, Hitler’s glorification of ancient elites served as both inspiration and a framework for his vision of Germany's identity and destiny.

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