The hottest Empires Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top History Topics

Ordinary People Do Terrible Things

Perspectives: Past, Present, and Future, by Patrick Wyman • 2535 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
💾 History Empires Genocide Military Conflict Human nature
  1. Evil acts are easily normalized throughout history by ordinary people.
  2. Ambitious rulers and conquerors had ordinary individuals as underlings to enforce their will and commit abhorrent acts.
  3. In various historical campaigns of mass violence, ordinary individuals can become willing participants in horrific acts under certain circumstances.

The Peculiar Institution, pt. 4

The Martyr Made Substack • 1375 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
💾 History Colonization Exploration Empires Cultural Exchange
  1. The debate over history being driven by great individuals or impersonal forces reflects the dominant cultural and economic forces of an era.
  2. Spanish and Portuguese states were built for war, with institutions and structures geared towards conquest.
  3. The Spanish conquest of the New World was part of the same campaign as Europe's defense against Ottoman incursion.

The Kaiser's Long Stare

Daily Dreher • 1552 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Empires Institutions Leadership Geopolitics Democracy
  1. The novel 'The Radetzky March' explores the decline of the Austro-Hungarian Empire through three generations of the von Trotta family.
  2. The book reflects on the importance of faith in institutions and the internal decay that can lead to their downfall.
  3. The text draws parallels between historical events and the current social and political challenges, highlighting the importance of an animating spirit within a society.

Today in History: January 4-6

Foreign Exchanges • 491 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
💾 History Events Leaders Wars Empires Revolution
  1. On January 4, 1878, Ottomans lost Sofia to the Russian army in a significant battle during the Russian-Ottoman War.
  2. US President Dwight Eisenhower established a doctrine on January 5, 1957, to intervene in the Middle East against Soviet influence.
  3. The last Byzantine Emperor, Constantine XI Palaiologos, was crowned on January 6, 1449, before falling in the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Was 8th Century China Meritocratic?

The Great Gender Divergence • 157 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
💾 History Ancient Social Empires Scholarship Research
  1. In 8th Century China, there was a widespread belief in meritocracy and social mobility, which were endorsed by Confucius and Empress Wu Zetian.
  2. Elites might have had advantages like better education for their sons and using nepotism for promotions, which could challenge the true meritocratic nature of the system.
  3. Recent research on social mobility during the Tang Dynasty provides insights into the career paths, imperial exam pass rates, and ancestral backgrounds of individuals through tomb epitaphs.

From Genocide to the Brave New Multipolar World

History's Parrot • 78 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Genocide Neoliberalism History Empires
  1. Societies are facing collapse due to neglect, betrayal, and the concentration of power and money in the hands of a few.
  2. Neoliberalism leads to societal destruction, alienation from humanistic values, and exploitation by power elites.
  3. Genocides are not sudden events but are set in motion by societal collapses, liberal sellouts, excessive greed, and the breakdown of empathy and common sense.

You’re so Turk and you don’t even know it

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 446 implied HN points • 24 Jun 23
💾 History Empires Influence Culture
  1. The Turks had a unique approach to conquest, assimilating the cultures of those they conquered instead of destroying them.
  2. Turkic influence spanned over 1,500 years across vast territories, impacting cultures from Europe to China.
  3. Turks played a significant role in shaping Eurasian culture, spread Islam, and extended civilization rather than causing decline.

The Last of the Zungars - Alexander Geins, 1865

The Library of Alexandria Ultima • 9 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
💾 History Exploration Empires War
  1. The text discusses the fate of the Zungar empire, which clashed with the Qing Dynasty and faced challenges from Russian expansion, ultimately leading to their downfall.
  2. Russian influence in Asia is highlighted, showing how the empire impacted tribes and helped in the resettlement of peoples, showcasing their historical significance.
  3. Descriptions of encounters with the Kalmyk people, including cultural aspects and conflicts, give insight into their lives and the challenges they faced.

Culture and Law: How Han Succeeded Where Rome Fell.

Moly’s Substack • 117 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
💾 History Cultural influence Philosophy Empires
  1. Han Dynasty and Rome were both powerful superpowers, but Han's culture and identity had stronger lasting power than Rome's.
  2. Han Dynasty integrated Confucianism into its culture and legal code, ensuring cultural continuity and preservation.
  3. China's history and Rome's history took different paths in how they dealt with culture and law, influencing their long-term success and legacy.

The Real Yellowstone, Part I: war, corruption, and 1,000,000 acres

Becoming Noble • 139 implied HN points • 17 Jan 23
💾 History Empires Conflict Expansion Lessons
  1. Conflict breeds opportunity by weakening established systems and making resources attainable by those with determination.
  2. Recognize opportunities that others may overlook, commit wholeheartedly to your vision, and be willing to endure hardships for success.
  3. In challenging and unstable environments, respect the law but be prepared to protect yourself and your interests; be proactive, expand protections, and never be naive.

Cyrus the Great

Of All Trades • 4 implied HN points • 03 May 23
💾 History Leaders Empires Warfare Legacy
  1. Cyrus the Great stood out among brutal leaders of his time by showing wisdom and compassion in his rule.
  2. Cyrus' enlightened approach to leadership included religious tolerance, respecting customs of conquered peoples, and using unique levels of clemency.
  3. Cyrus' model of delegation, strategic vision, and legacy of just rule can inspire modern leaders in areas like empowering subordinates and balancing centralization with decentralization.