Stefan R. Hauser. “ „…die persische Herrschaft war eigentlich die edelste und beste …“. Die Achaimeniden in deutschen Diskursen im langen neunzehnten Jahrhundert”

Abstract

S. R. Hauser describes the place attributed to Persia in archaeological (Winkelman) and philosophical (Herder, Hegel) discourse in Germany during the 19th century. The Achaemenids were cast into the role of Greece’s main adversary, rather than being appreciated in their own right. The Greeks on the other hand were much admired for their national character and alleged spirit of freedom; affinities between contemporary Germany and ancient Greece were regularly invoked.