Author: Thomas Fleming

18

Disperandum

How many times have you read a movement Conservative’s explanation of political correctness and critical theory as the products of Marxism?  

20

Herodotus, Book IV

The Fourth book is largely taken up with Herodotus’ intriguing account of the Scythians and with Darius’ ill-advised expedition against these strange people.  The Scyths were a people of Iranian stock, probably very similar to the Medes and Persians before they entered the Middle East and found themselves subjected to the constraints of civilization.  They were nomadic horsemen, fearless warriors, and hard to govern.  While Darius claims one reason or another for holding a grudge, it would seem that Herodotus regards the expedition as an instance of megalomania.

5

Herodotus, Books II-IV, Part B

Book III gets down to the business of Cambyses, Cyrus’ successor, and the invasion of Egypt in which he displays signs of madness, which might just be interpreted as the indications of the tyrannical character that is created when boys are raised without anyone who can say, “NO!”