Ancient historians have a great deal to offer. Not only do they, you know, tell us about ancient history, but they are also blissfully ignorant of modern insanities. When Livy recounts the story of Lucretia, there is no hint of trigger warnings or disclaimer about how sexist the Romans were in the days of yore. The Romans were better back then; we today should be more like them!
At the same time, not all ancient historians are created equal. Suetonius has his virtues, but he hasn’t a political theoretical bone in his body. Certain historians are not only of higher quality—more accurate, better writers—but also emphasize themes that are particularly in tune with broad civilizational concern.
Traditionally, there has been a dichotomy between idealist and realist historians. According to this scheme, the idealist authors emphasize the virtues of their subjects and tell how those virtues led to success or at least nobility in failure, while realistic authors emphasize power politics. In reality, this dichotomy is not perfect; these categories were created by modern historians, and ancient writers did not feel constrained to follow one paradigm or the other.
We do not favor either the idealist or realist approach, being at the same time deeply cynical about politics and admiring of classical virtues. Still, there are a few notable desiderata for ancient history. The first is emphasis on rise and decline. Societies and people both wax and wane over time, and history should understand that fact. The second is ethnographic detail. History does not simply consist of personalities and events but also of nations. Information about these peoples is data for social science. The third and final one is inverse affinity with Leftism. Today’s Leftists generally don’t care much for ancient history, but if a work has generally been viewed as contrary to the Leftist tradition, then we favor it and vice versa.
With all that being said, here are the top ten works of ancient history for neoreaction:
- Xenophon, Anabasis.
An instant classic if there ever was one, Xenophon’s account of the march of the Ten Thousand from Babylon to the Black Sea serves as a handbook for leadership as much a piece of history. More than that, it was a central text in the Western literary canon for centuries; anyone who cannot recognize “Thalassa! Thalassa!” deserves the name of philistine.
- Strabo, Geographica.
Though Strabo’s work lacks the gripping quality of a narrative, this book on human as well as physical geography gives an invaluable picture of the ancient world. A more complete study of the various ancient peoples is hard to find.
- Sallust, The Conspiracy of Cataline.
Sallust was the first historian to propose that the Roman Republic declined and ultimately fell because of its success. A partisan of Caesar and rhetorical opponent of Cicero, Sallust also paints a dark picture of Cataline, the would-be king of Rome, as a man of remarkable talent whose vicious nature could not be controlled.
- Tacitus, Annals.
A superb prose stylist, Tacitus gives us our best picture of the Roman Empire under the Julio-Claudian emperors. More scrupulous than Suetonius, Tacitus looks past the pretenses of power and reveals the true causes political events.
- Curtius, History of Alexander the Great.
Though Arrian’s account of Alexander’s life is probably more trustworthy, Curtius emphasizes how Alexander proved victorious on the battlefield but conquered by his own vices. Here in microcosm appears the same cyclic pattern of societies played out in the life of one remarkable man.
- Polybius, Histories.
Polybius provides a thorough and careful account of Rome’s rise to world power. Along the way, he analyzes various political constitutions and gives cautionary tales about the fickleness of Tyche or Fortune. On the downside, Polybius is also one of the few ancient historians favorably disposed toward democracy.
- Caesar, The Gallic Wars.
It’s hard to find bad things to say about Caesar’s telling of the Gallic Wars. There’s ethnography aplenty, as well as highly detailed military and diplomatic history.
- Tacitus, Germania.
An entire book by Tacitus on ethnography! Additionally, the author compares the ancient Germans to the Romans and finds the Romans wanting. Tacitus’ comments on marriage are especially worthwhile.
- Herodotus, Histories.
The Father of History himself gives an extraordinarily detailed ethnographic survey of ancient peoples and On top of that, he gives a detailed account of the epic struggle between the Greeks of Europe and an invasion from the East.
And finally…
- Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War.
You knew it would be here. Between the civil war in Corcyra, the Mytilenian debate, the Melian Dialogue, and the Sicilian expedition, Thucydides details the descent into cynicism of the democracy at Athens. If you ever find yourself feeling too happy, it’s the perfect antidote to your condition.
Titus Flavius Josephus – “The Jewish War” if you have any optimism left after Thucydides – this will finish it off.