HIS 106 Lecture 6: Warfare, Technology and Social Change (Week Before Reading Week)
19 Oct 2016
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What are all societies organized around? (security & power) 3 basic functions: 3 constants in every social unit. Food production: organization of authority (power, warfare. Myth 1: humanity has progressed and become less brutal since pre-history. Myth 2: humanity had degenerated from a state of grace due to civilization. Greece was smaller at the time than persia. Society- like ancient egypt, mesopotamia and assyria. Greece - home of democracy and of totalitarianism. Why were the greeks in their small city states able to repel the mighty persian. Empire? (fighting for themselves (democracy) and not an emperor) Technology often overlooked in most social histories. Wealth created standing professionals armies (greeks had militias) Rules willing to kill thousands of soldiers for conquest (soldiers are expendable to the empires) Battles were led by ruler or delegate. According to herodotus, he diverted euphrates river away from bablon.
