I think about this often, how my barbaric ancestors brought empires to their knees. What would they think of me? There are certainly things I like about this world; modern medicine, electricity, and the internet. Things they would have found magical. But they've made us too tame, too docile in many ways. I often wish there was a sort of middle-ground, where we could hold onto the savage wildness of our predecessors while still existing in a world that has such things as pharmacies.
A middle ground would be nice. Instead, we live in a world insulated from reality. I too enjoy modern medicine and electricity and sanitation and indoor plumbing and not having to worry about raiders carrying off our women, but we’ve lost something crucial. Animals in the forest still instinctively fear the great killers that walk on two legs, but if only they knew.
Per books on Greek history, have you read “Gates Of Fire” by Steven Pressfield? The book recounts the Battle of Thermopylae through Xeones, a perioikos (free but non-citizen inhabitant of Sparta) born in Astakos, and one of only three Greek survivors of the battle. It is taught at West Point, the United States Naval Academy, and at the Marine Corps The Basic School. I heard it was really good.
I have not heard of that book, but I looked it up and it’s fiction. From your description, it sounded like a history book. Still looks like a good book to add to the pile.
Another good post.
I think about this often, how my barbaric ancestors brought empires to their knees. What would they think of me? There are certainly things I like about this world; modern medicine, electricity, and the internet. Things they would have found magical. But they've made us too tame, too docile in many ways. I often wish there was a sort of middle-ground, where we could hold onto the savage wildness of our predecessors while still existing in a world that has such things as pharmacies.
A middle ground would be nice. Instead, we live in a world insulated from reality. I too enjoy modern medicine and electricity and sanitation and indoor plumbing and not having to worry about raiders carrying off our women, but we’ve lost something crucial. Animals in the forest still instinctively fear the great killers that walk on two legs, but if only they knew.
Per books on Greek history, have you read “Gates Of Fire” by Steven Pressfield? The book recounts the Battle of Thermopylae through Xeones, a perioikos (free but non-citizen inhabitant of Sparta) born in Astakos, and one of only three Greek survivors of the battle. It is taught at West Point, the United States Naval Academy, and at the Marine Corps The Basic School. I heard it was really good.
I have not heard of that book, but I looked it up and it’s fiction. From your description, it sounded like a history book. Still looks like a good book to add to the pile.