Wonderful! Fifty years ago my entire plebe class at Annapolis was required to take Fall and Spring 4-hour courses on the History of Seapower. My prof was Professor E. B. Potter. Within a week of Fall classes starting, we studied the Battle of Salamis. What struck me about this battle was its preparations. A few weeks prior to Salamis, the ‘300’ Spartans, along with several thousands of other Greek Allies, held the Persians for awhile at Thermopylae. During that battle and the intervening weeks before Salamis, Themistocles convinced 100,000 Athenian citizens to abandon the city and make their way to the island. Athenian citizens watched as the Persian Army sacked Athens. Imagine a statesman today persuading most of a nation’s citizenry to abandon their home and trust in him and his policies. I agree with Professor Davis’ choice of Salamis as a primary pivot point in the history of western civilization. Of the Ancient Greek statesmen/strategos, I believe that Themistocles was the best of the best.
First comment. I wonder if there is some way that VDH could serve in government at a very high level. There are precious few intellectuals who seem as reliable as him.
Great discussion. Regarding Rome, why is there so much more attention paid to the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 4th-5th centuries AD rather than to the transition from Republic to Principate (Empire) in the 1st century BC? The analogies with today are much more like the 1st century BC than the eventual Fall.
Dear Andrew - I like VDH very much, but the two of you together was a nice experience indeed. You gave him springboard questions, didn't talk over him, let him complete thoughts but still kept the discussion moving. IOW, you already knew enough about the subject matter yourself and went exploring cooperatively. It was sad, as well, however. The two of you are part of a culture that is being eaten in what Marshall MacLuhan recognised, decades ago, was and is a world of "warm" or "hot" media. The two of you are still able to see connectedness - you have read, and read, and certainly know enough grammar/syntax/vocabulary to be able to think outside the instant. That, in MacLuhan's term, is cool.
Simply delighted that we have been allowed to listen in on this conversation. Nothing wrong with arrogance, it's just one of the many human attributes I admire the most.
Just visited the two amphitheaters at Ludunum (Lyon), the capital of Roman Gaul was a a beautiful and interesting place. The submersible two cylinder pump was astounding. As were the dual amphitheatres.
Great fun listening to the two of you. I look forward to your next installment Andrew.... But how in the world are you going to get someone else to follow Victor. I know I certainly wouldn't want to...
I may be the only one, but whenever I finish listening to VDH I feel a 'little' smarter. Thanks for posting this!
You're not the only one. 😉
I know the feeling. After listening to VDH and Thomas Sowell, I feel my I.Q. skyrocketing!
Me too 👍👍👏👏👏
That's an awfully astute observation.
I'm thinking "I'm lot smarter than I think"
But it's more likely "VDH is a wonderful teacher"
Ha, I always feel a little dumber by comparison! Point well taken though.😄
I believe the correct term is “Super Smarty-Pantsified” that’s how I describe it for myself.
Wonderful!
Fifty years ago my entire plebe class at Annapolis was required to take Fall and Spring 4-hour courses on the History of Seapower. My prof was Professor E. B. Potter. Within a week of Fall classes starting, we studied the Battle of Salamis. What struck me about this battle was its preparations. A few weeks prior to Salamis, the ‘300’ Spartans, along with several thousands of other Greek Allies, held the Persians for awhile at Thermopylae. During that battle and the intervening weeks before Salamis, Themistocles convinced 100,000 Athenian citizens to abandon the city and make their way to the island. Athenian citizens watched as the Persian Army sacked Athens.
Imagine a statesman today persuading most of a nation’s citizenry to abandon their home and trust in him and his policies.
I agree with Professor Davis’ choice of Salamis as a primary pivot point in the history of western civilization. Of the Ancient Greek statesmen/strategos, I believe that Themistocles was the best of the best.
Classical intellectual, classical speaker...I love listening to Victor Davis Hanson.
First comment. I wonder if there is some way that VDH could serve in government at a very high level. There are precious few intellectuals who seem as reliable as him.
Reading father of us all during a spain vacation made my summer back in the day, love your works.
Great discussion. Regarding Rome, why is there so much more attention paid to the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 4th-5th centuries AD rather than to the transition from Republic to Principate (Empire) in the 1st century BC? The analogies with today are much more like the 1st century BC than the eventual Fall.
I have asked the same question repeatedly.
Andrew Roberts and VDH unmoderated? It doesn't get any better than this.
Good conversation and it has broadened my view on key events that shaped the Roman, Greek, Ionia civilisation. Thanks you
Two of my absolute favorite intellectuals; Andrew, just finished your Churchill bio…simply phenomenal
Dear Andrew - I like VDH very much, but the two of you together was a nice experience indeed.
You gave him springboard questions, didn't talk over him, let him complete thoughts but still kept the discussion moving. IOW, you already knew enough about the subject matter yourself and went exploring cooperatively.
It was sad, as well, however. The two of you are part of a culture that is being eaten in what Marshall MacLuhan recognised, decades ago, was and is a world of "warm" or "hot" media.
The two of you are still able to see connectedness - you have read, and read, and certainly know enough grammar/syntax/vocabulary to be able to think outside the instant. That, in MacLuhan's term, is cool.
Simply delighted that we have been allowed to listen in on this conversation. Nothing wrong with arrogance, it's just one of the many human attributes I admire the most.
Just visited the two amphitheaters at Ludunum (Lyon), the capital of Roman Gaul was a a beautiful and interesting place.
The submersible two cylinder pump was astounding. As were the dual amphitheatres.
Fantastic conversation! Off the cuff but full of depth. Thank you for sharing
Thank you both for a wonderful exploration.
Thanks for Uploading.
VDH MVP!
VDH is the wisest man in the world.
Great discussion.
Thank you very much!
VDH is a genius
And a farmer! God Country Corps.. Marine Corps!!
Great pod…
Learning. Thank you so much!
Excellent!
I thought the title said secrets of Starcraft so I clicked, glad I stayed though 😅
Absolutely outstanding chat.
Very interesting!
Interesting and informative.
A great thing to listen to. Thank you!
You should do an episode on John and John Quincy Adams
Great fun listening to the two of you. I look forward to your next installment Andrew.... But how in the world are you going to get someone else to follow Victor. I know I certainly wouldn't want to...
BOTH CAMPS HAD GREAT THINKERS ... BOTH CAMPS LASTED A COUPLE HUNDRED YEARS ... LIKE US!
Whenever I listen to VDH I feel enlightened but also I realize how ignorant I am.
🌞thank you🌞
“He was non-Roman, probably African American of North Africa.” 38:15 haha
Wonderful! Anyone know the name of the song that's played?
Allowing those who have nothing but their progeny to wield power over those whose property feeds the nation is depraved and unjust
❤️
The republic must rise again...
And the continued comparison from ancient history to modern warfare is short of the mark.
Political warfare.
Some stereotypes just fit.