1st stage of development of ideology:
ANTIQUITY
EUROPE – the term has a very long history but idea of Europe as something more than acontinent is more recent.It’s the 19
th
c. when the idea of Europe reached a complete shape. 19
th
c. saw amultidimensional idea of Europe = having its own history.Prior 19
th
: the idea developed – but they didn’t search for the roots,
not
only here and now.Prior 19
th
: 3 main stages
→
IDENTIFICATIONS of the concept of Europe with moreabstract concepts.
1)
IDEN. Of Europe with freedom – in Greece – 5
th
c. BC
2)
IDEN. Of Europe with Christendom (Christianity) – 15
th
c. AD
3)
IDEN. Of Europe with civilization – 18
th
c.19
th
c. – all the three identifications came back to define Europe but they were alsoequipped with historical depth – roots of that identification – why should Europe beidentified with freedom?At the turn of the century + WWI – destroyed any understanding of Europe as a complexsociological entity – as community. It was illogical to speak of common European entity if Europeans were killing each other. This situation (decrease) lasted until the end of WWII.After WWII the idea of Europe caught on again, but differently – between the beginning of 20
th
c. and WWII – they looked for roots. After WWII they (Europeans) looked for thefuture possibilities – stronger move toward European cooperation and integration.
ANTIQUITY
Nobody KNOWS? Where the name ‘Europe’ comes from. The name appears in writing of ancient historians but they didn’t know where the name came from.Herodotus (5
th
c. BC) – admitted that he didn’t know where the name came from – Europe,Africa, Asia appeared to be women names; unclear dimensions of the continent. He didn’tknow who first subdivided world into 3 continents. In ancient Egypt names of continentwere different, e.g. Africa=Libya.Europe is present in Greek mythology – it has been quite a popular myth, depicted in painting, poetry – there was a princess, Europe (daughter of Phoenician king). Zeus fell inlove with her, he transformed himself into a bull. He met her on the … , she sat on him andthey went to Crete, he had 3 sons with her – god’s sons. The origin of the name is notknown.Europe maybe “the land of the setting sun” – idea of darkness.Boundaries between 3 continents were fluent – Europe in the east ended on the river Donand the Sea of Azov.Boundary between Europe and Africa: the Mediterranean Sea.Boundary between Asia and Africa: the river Nile. Nobody knew what was beyond the continent.IDENTIFICATIONS:
1)
ident. With freedom – 5
th
c. BC – at the time of Greek and Persian wars:*Europeans start to think of themselves: who they are when their precious European homeis in danger. (think about their common values)*Greece colonized parts of Asia Minor, esp. Ionian Coast of it, Asiatic parts of Turkeytoday). The Greek city-states started to be attacked by expanding Asian Empire, theysought help from the Greek homeland. The Greeks endangered there realized they weren’tthreatened with different culture but they were attacked with different form of politicalregime – that they would have to give up the idea of democracy – threatened the level of freedom available to people;Greece vs. Persia – Europe vs. Asia – democracy vs. tyrannyGreek city states became symbols of freedom, Persia became a symbol of tyranny,despotism;Later the SET? Of oppositions was further developed by e.g. Hipocrates – he combinedcustoms, behavior, politics and climate to draw distinctions between 2 continents (400 BC) – Europe and Asia were different: different customs, behavior, political regimes – all of which had roots in climate; thanks to this Europeans were courageous; Asians were lesswar-like (ferocious) – when war came they could be made to fight but they fought for thedespotic ruler (despotism). They didn’t fight for themselves, therefore Asiatic states wereweaker. Europeans fought for themselves, for their reputation.*Aristotle (4
th
c. BC) – conditions changed: Greece had been conquered by Philip of Macedon – A: people of Europe were products of a cold climate, they were courageous butnot very skillful or wise, they were usually independent but there was little cohesion between them. They couldn’t rule others. Then: people of Asia were wise and skillful but because of a different climate they lacked courage so they were doomed to remainsubjected to others. Between these two were the Greeks who combined the best features of both: free, the wisest, the best institutions, able to rule other people.Aristotle was the teacher of Alexander the Great.Thanks to armies of Philip and Alexander these Greek ideas were known in the ancientworld.The ancient world became permeated with Greek ideas, scholars; Greek names of thecontinents started to be widely known.It was a two-way process – during Hellenic expansions Europe had time to learn from other cultures but also the European vision of the world (NAME/HOME? , ? ) was spread to new places.During Hellenic expansion (Philip, Alexander) the contrast between Europe and Asia was blurred. Geographical knowledge was expanded.*Strabo – a geographer born in 1
st
c. BC – a Greek of a partly Asian origin. He praisedRomans for political and military skills and for building such a vast empire. Europe – mostvaried and wealthiest continent. Continent of ideal combination of fertile and peace-lovingcountries & inhospitable regions with war-like people (peaceful elements prevailing).Europe is praised as the most free, independent continent. It has been free form foreign rule – not invaded by Asians; developed by itself;
1
Leave a Comment