How the Greeks created the first European State

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Ancient Greece, in particular ancient Athens, is a weirdly romanticized thing in our day and age. Throughout much of the Western world a popular image exists of ancient Greek city states being a long lost liberty, an ideal worth striving to continue in the modern age, after it had been disrupted by a dark age. But is this true? No. Ancient Greek societies started as family tribe structures, and throughout the long history of the Greek polites family structure and communal loyalties and norms, had a far more important role in society than any notions of an “ancient liberty”. The vision of ancient Greece that many of us hold, is by in large a romantic myth. But ancient Greece, in particular ancient Athens, can still teach us something very valuable. It can show us how tribal societies create a state. One of the first states in human history.
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Sources:
Fustel de Coulanges: The Ancient City
Daron Acemoglu & James A. Robinson: The Narrow Corridor
Larry Siedentop: Inventing the Individual
Francis Fukuyama: The Origins of Political Order
Segments:
Sponsor (0:00)
Greek Tribal Society (1:02)
Governance in tribal Greece (4:32)
The Decline of Tribal governed Athens (7:09)
Solon and the first Athenian state reforms (8:40)
The continuation of the state-building project after Solon (10:50)
Side note on Ancient Greek currencies (12:22)
The creation of democratic state structures in Athens (13:06)
Side note on Ancient Greek Statues (15:03)
Outro on what Ancient Greece means to us (15:42)
Teaser of next video and Outro (18:08)

[@Kraut_the_Parrot]

Go to Surfshark.deals/kraut and use code KRAUT to get 83% off a 2-year plan and 3 extra months for free!

[@jamesabestos2800]

Kruat, please do central asia? Like the khanate and energy disputes. It will probably be like a multi-part series so I suggest to not think about it just wait on it

[@stevankovacevic2691]

No

[@cyumeniaroy1623]

Why do you hate Indians?

[@stevankovacevic2691]

Can you do a history of the Balkans?

[@PlayBoiMur]

@@woodchuck003 what???

[@leirex_1]

>Barges into government >noticeably improves life for lower class without ruining the upper class >restores political and social stability >refuses to capitalize on his success >leaves

[@1000eau]

Absolutely based sigma chad

[@adrianmartin7344]

> Profit

[@aturchomicz821]

Why must there be an Upper Class, they do litearlly nothing🤔

[@peterwang5660]

@@aturchomicz821 well the idea is that they contributed a lot to earn the right to be decadent parasites, but it kind of falls apart when they just pass on the privilege to their kids.

[@Torus2112]

@@aturchomicz821 All human societies are hierarchical anyone who says different is just upset that they aren't top lobster.

[@CivilWarWeekByWeek]

I think Athens went through more phases than the average teenager

[@ihazplawe2503]

Athens also has more debt than the average teenager too

[@holey5065]

Lol yes

[@Tankliker]

@@ihazplawe2503 not if you are a US student

[@delusionalfusional8409]

No mom, democracy isn’t a “phase” it’s who I am!

[@romeersharma2488]

@@delusionalfusional8409 no mom, Draco's authoritarian regime isn't a phase it's who I am!

[@unofficial_computer]

Ancient Greece cared more about Family than the whole Fast and Furious series combined.

[@romeersharma2488]

Oof

[@josephhernandez9531]

Lmao

[@DracoMagnius]

Turns out Vin Disel's character was Greek this whole time.

[@booperdooperproductions2545]

vin dieselios

[@yanniskarageorgiou3573]

I guess mine is an outlier lol

[@stalwort1692]

>Turkey gets a three-part series >Greece gets 17 minutes Greece: M A L A K A

[@Chorophilax]

@@Makky265 🐂🐂🐂🐂🐂🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷

[@sankarsah]

Forget that, look at how much PR a video on China, Russia or US gets vs the PR South Korea, Japan or India gets.

[@starsinthesky593]

@@sankarsah do u have an answer because I don't know

[@user-nq3mx8ot1g]

No one cares

[@user-nq3mx8ot1g]

Literally no one

[@Kraut_the_Parrot]

This is my first attempt to try to summarize what would usually be a 4 hour series, into under 20 minutes. I hope it worked, and that the video is still good enough according to the standard of quality that you may expect.

[@chinggiskhan6678]

The Spartans were great innovators, they managed to create a currency that was used for warfare and *moans* Edit: I shall now remove myself from existence

[@americannightmare425]

This video is really cool, thank you

[@eX1st4132]

it's still quite good. Though i reckon much of your core audience would watch anything you made, but don't let that discourage you, just make good videos, long or short.

[@lubu2960]

Cool video

[@nathanieldanga4982]

I do usually like your more in depth reading into history, but this is a nice quick video. I think you could find an equilibrium in the future of your hour long series’ and short summations of history. Which ever way you go, you better believe I’ll be here for it. Great stuff!!

[@oldmandoinghighkicksonlyin1368]

Whenever humans cooperate, they transcend to another level of civ.

[@Moribus_Artibus]

Unity is victory - Syrus

[@virginia6895]

Not a 6 hours video on why Luxemburg caused the fall of comunism? Cringe

[@jamesabestos2800]

Time to make a 91 year livestream to my death. Based

[@pablo2448]

Wait, wasn't the Marshall Islands that did It?

[@emilhuseynov6121]

@@pablo2448 dude you’re mixing it with Lichtenstein they are the true masters of the world

[@pablo2448]

@@emilhuseynov6121 These micronations are always up to something...

[@bastiangalaz4580]

@@pablo2448 One day they will conferederate into a microempire.

[@BadDayLp]

Politicans: It cant hurt when i have direct control over that The legendary Solon: Yeah mate, lets trash the old system, improve it and then go on an adventure!

[@bastiangalaz4580]

Virgin Solon vs Chad Lycurgus: Change everything when I come back. * suicides *

[@DarkKinghtrulz]

@@irasingh2498 He speaks in Hindhi which unfortunately I dont know.

[@sirllamaiii9708]

I'm glad he's getting sponsors, one of the most deserving channels of it

[@ddobrevs]

And he puts the sponsor in time stamps. He really deserves the money.

[@muzamilqwerty5453]

He's gay

[@sirllamaiii9708]

@@muzamilqwerty5453 oh hell yeah 😳

[@doctormatthattan]

Only Kraut would say that a short video is 18 minutes.

[@BadDayLp]

Other people: Today we have an extra long special video! 10:01 Kraut: Video short, Kraut sad

[@BeaverChainsaw]

Hey remember when a short twenty 20 mjnute episode used to turn into a 3 hour long epic, 3 episodes long?

[@nowhereman6019]

Only weaklings would say that a 2 hour long video essay is "long".

[@zax1998LU]

I'm glad it was 18mins tbh.

[@oscardelafuente8649]

@@zax1998LU y tho?

[@philthephilosopher9235]

Greek society be like "I got family."

[@bobbybfat]

Βιν Διεσελ

[@matthewbadley5063]

Ancient greek society be like the fast and furious meme

[@tombkings6279]

hosanna means family

[@karaqakkzl]

@@bobbybfat Vikentis Dieselios

[@nowhereman6019]

"I love democracy." -Solon

[@YD39222]

Palatine learned from the best

[@felixn4420]

I love the republic

[@lordsebastianofbarovia3686]

It's debatable, the Athenians were proud of the equality of all citizens in front of the law, but never used the word δημοκρατία, they would have found the concept of the power to the people appalling.

[@peterwang5660]

@@lordsebastianofbarovia3686 hence… Plato taking quite the issue with democracy.

[@np7736]

@@irasingh2498 if you wanna simp for your favorite youtuber, do it somewhere else

[@chinggiskhan6678]

We all know that Sparta used those metal rods for more than just warfare and currency 😏😏😏

[@Kraut_the_Parrot]

LMAO

[@pleasecallmetomato4924]

I honestly would love to hold that Long, thick, gorgeous Spartan Rod.....

[@peskypigeonx]

@@pleasecallmetomato4924 😮‍💨

[@golagiswatchingyou2966]

what building materials?

[@XD-yn6hb]

@@pleasecallmetomato4924 lol

[@No-ln8wb]

Thanks to this i can't stop imagining a little girl just going to a small shrine and just calmly chanting "Blood for the blood god", and that is so incredibly funny to me.

[@concept5631]

*Technoblade intensifies in the distance*

[@liminal_fuckwit]

I mean, Khorne needs to get his worship in some way...

[@No-ln8wb]

@@liminal_fuckwit "May grandpa Khorne bless you"

[@concept5631]

@@No-ln8wb Nurgle: *confusion intensifies*

[@abdiqarebash3156]

"Blood for the Blood god" "Skulls for the skull throne" Nice 40k references

[@LunaNicoleTheFox]

The greeks also had corn..for the KHORNEFLAKES

[@SilverPrince_]

@@LunaNicoleTheFox It's "MILK FOR THE KHORNEFLAKES", you Slaaneshi sicko.

[@akumaking1]

Those would have been better for Scandinavia and/or the Middle East

[@LunaNicoleTheFox]

@@SilverPrince_ What can I say, the tentacles just feel so good.

[@Christian-mt5jx]

Kraut comments regularly on Total War Warhammer content. He is a big fan, just like me since I see his comments lol.

[@chinggiskhan6678]

"If you fail, your God's will die!" Wait, but I thought my God can't die? "Your ancestors will too!" But they're already dead! "No they're not bro, they're spoopy ghosts. If you don't fight, they will surely truly die" Okay, but I didn't really like the- "Don't go to war and we'll kill you" ME CITY GREAT! HAIL CITY!

[@GeneralPet]

But it's right. Gods who are not worshiped by anyone are dead. Ancestors who are not remembered are also truly dead. Fighting and dying in battle is for preserving your people who are an extension of your self and your identity. Individualism was not a thing.

[@purushottam_paramdharma]

@rimacutem of Alsvartrsmiðr I would argue our land Chinggis Khan has used a emotional tool called humour'

[@linhhoang3636]

Solon's achievements were so extraordinary I feel like he's just a myth

[@tylerdurden3722]

Herodatus tends to do that when writing about something or someone who was real. He tends to write down the most sensational version of the story he encounters.

[@paperbagman9445]

There is nothing more important to the ancient Greeks than FAMILY

[@Giganfan2k1]

Didn't realize FF was Greek all along.

[@SeruraRenge11]

It's about family, and that's what makes it so powerful.

[@Icariaball]

I was always fascinated with ancient greek history Art, Sience, litterature, Architecture, Theater, Democracy, Mythology,History Everything that that shaped the Western civilization started thousands of years before in these city states. Also thank you for the video it was really wholesome from you

[@greuropeanunion5641]

Where is WW1 video :)

[@Icariaball]

@@greuropeanunion5641 oh god please not even here

[@christidiscipulus1576]

Me but with christian history

[@niksato5210]

@@Icariaball There is no escape

[@PakBallandSami]

lol

[@jazdigance6403]

16:18 funny thing about all the Greek imitation architecture seen across Europe, a tour guide in Athens told us they're all based on the Arch Of Hadrian, a structure commissioned when Rome took over Greece. The Greek who built it made a brick and mortar (Roman) main archway, topped with marble pillar and triangular roof (Greek). The point was that it was a secret "fuck you" to Rome, and apparently some Greek historians like to view structures such as the Arc du Triomphe and Brandenburg Gate as a continuation of that defiant Greek spirit, unbeknownst to the builders. I think it might have just been his national pride talking, but find it interesting nonetheless

[@program4215]

It wouldn't make sense for the Arch of Hadrian to have been commissioned when Rome took over Greece, because the Hadrian the arch is named for ruled as Emperor almost 300 years after Rome conquered Greece.

[@albinbiju9463]

while Athens was leading in all fields, be it governance models, architecture, etc; the city state of Sparta right next door was a functioning slave society

[@allstarlord9110]

If Athens had not lost the pelloponese war history could be different

[@cormacdonnelly365]

They were all slave societies though, the Lacedaimonian state just institutionalised it by dividing ethnically with Spartans on top and helots on the bottom, as opposed to dividing it by market forces/war booty/some other system.

[@nadams8863]

@@cormacdonnelly365 Ehhhh, the problem with that is that there is no evidence of any actual ethnic difference between the Spartans and their slaves, that was simply part of their mythology.

[@cormacdonnelly365]

@@nadams8863 Fair point, tribal probably would've been a better word, but the overall criticism still stands

[@mattbenz99]

@@allstarlord9110 Probably not. The Athenians would have still been eventually conquered by the Romans. People often forget just how good at war the Romans were, and how they just came in and conquered everything over a few hundred years.

[@sshole123]

This video seems like a very good summary of Coulanges' The Ancient City.

[@sipahihan1]

Dude this content is my research subject for degree. I found very satisfying. Love From Turkey to my Greek neighbors.

[@peterwang5660]

Well that was unexpected

[@sipahihan1]

@@peterwang5660 why?

[@GeneralPet]

@@sipahihan1 Turk studying Greek history. That's why. Your president won't like it

[@alejandrofelixgutierrez7956]

@@GeneralPet Greek history is part of his heritage too.

[@GeneralPet]

@@alejandrofelixgutierrez7956 I'm just saying why some will find this unexpected.

[@emir6691]

hey kraut - before this place gets full just wanna say thank you for the Turkish series. learned a lot and i'm glad people saw it. cheers man. every content of your channel is amazing! good luck

[@observant6953]

Up with you! The Turkish Century was one of the best series I've seen here. Captivating, funny and educational!

[@saimonserge6928]

I was hoping to see at least one turk commenting in a video about greece and here it is..XD

[@simonbrandberg1732]

It accually got me into reading a huge book abaout Ottoman history. All thanks to Kraut!

[@corneliuslaag9976]

Absolutely right

[@remembertotakeshowerspleas355]

It makes me sad he never finished the series he was planning for Japan.

[@BadDayLp]

I just imagine an conversation between an Spartan and someone from a diffrent Polis Dude: Hey Sparta, why arent you using coins the make traiding so easy! Spartan: Nah mate, i stay with metal rods. D: But why? Coins are so much more convinient- S: Yeah but what if war breaks out? D: So? S: Any my spear is broken? D: Buy a new one? With... coins? S: Yeah but what if everybody spear is broken? Havent thought about that hm? Yeah, i stay with my metal rods, i can make them easily into a weapon. D: ... okay bro. I aint got a problem, chief.

[@maxstirner6143]

that doesnt make sense, coins were made also of metals, not just gold or silver ....

[@stekra3159]

@@maxstirner6143 Yes but Spartans obol was made out of Iron, not silver.

[@maxstirner6143]

@@stekra3159 so? You can melt coins into weapons also... Coins were made of a variety of metals, from gold to copper, iron also So the point here is that the difference in the usage of the currency is not the physical appearance of the currency but the value, the rods were just coins in large size or deflated coins. 1lb of iron in rode shape is more valuable than 3 coins of iron... Spartans were more rich than Athenians, just that. The joke make no sense because puts the Spartans as fools when they had the more valuable currency and had no devaluation in their currency... From a practical and economic view has no point. I get the joke but, for me, makes no sense, Athenians had to pay the coinage and use a devaluated currency and Spartans had easier to prepare for war and a better currency. Don't take me seriously, I can laugh at anything anytime but some jokes, doesn't make me laugh even if are objectively good in the ""normie"" sphere, and this is one

[@kosmas173]

@@maxstirner6143 Spartans didn't like trading like other nations did they also didn't want it's citizens to hoard money and get rich. On a note, coins were invented around 500bC so before that using other things to trade with like obols and talants were the standard so Sparta just stuck with it. On another note, Sparta did use a coin at some point but it was large and heavy on purpose for the reasons I mentioned above.

[@minhducnguyen9276]

@@kosmas173 Well if you don't export anything, having a deflated currency is not bad. And I doubt Sparta was exporting anything in large amount unless they do mercenary work. But Athens do export so using coin would be a smarter choice.

[@h0ser]

Greeks then: we will create democracy, philosophy, Western art, code of laws, and many scientific/mathematical discoveries Greeks now: germany wheres my mony

[@AsprosOfAzeroth]

Sad, but that's what conformity with corruption will get you. Just look at countries like Brasil :(

[@h0ser]

@@AsprosOfAzeroth I made videos on both modern Greece and Brazil if you want to watch them

[@jamesabestos2800]

@@h0ser mmm y3s

[@lucqq3792]

@@h0ser i like ur voice n u do good topics so i subbed :]

[@greeker10]

@@Pretisy well to be a Greek you had to have 4 things. Omoglosson same language Omotropon same ways, customs Omoaimon same Blood and Omothriskon same Religion So I have no idea where you got the tolerant part from.

[@CarthagoMike]

I love how the introduction of Herodotus is shown as a breaking of the 4th wall, just like Herodotus himself tried to peer through the 'box' he found himself in by writing down anything he heard, saw and perceived.

[@Mrs.THECOMMUNISTCHANNEL]

Non Greeks: *exists* *This enraged the Greeks who punished them severely*

[@jasonbelstone3427]

(Loop of stick Greek symbol stick-figure spanking a non-greek thats over his knee)

[@Jobe-13]

😂

[@spectacles-dm]

A really profound portrayal of Athens' departure from ancestor-worship and embrace of the project of statehood can be found in Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War. When reading, pay attention to where he mentions the Athenians fleeing the city on their ships to escape the Persians, and in whose mouth he puts the remarks, because to flee the city was to flee one's ancestors aboard the products of the state rather than the family. One finds a fascinating commentary which sheds much light on Thucydides' own opinion of the state-building project and those who spearheaded it.

[@vitorluigi2911]

Kraut >>>> geography teacher This guy is literally going to make me pass to a college one day, you'll see

[@jamiewhichelo9983]

Dude I literally used 2 videos of his, did further research to find original sources (especially on China taking the EU in 'trumps biggest mistake' on this presentation for my politics final

[@Giganfan2k1]

@@jamiewhichelo9983 Noice

[@stevankovacevic2691]

Can you do a history on the Balkans, it's an interesting subject to see how many different types of people's migrated there

[@Deathskull0001]

That's gonna take a few episodes, lol

[@TheOneWh0Knocks]

It will get demonetized most probably, since he would have to cover all the murder, genocide and sacking of other communities, especially when he talks about the slavic serboi tribes that migrated to the Balkans in 600AD and their being till this day in form of the nation of serbia.

[@dewey7085]

Maybe if the comment section does not go 90’s on it

[@Daniel-jm7ts]

@@TheOneWh0Knocks I mean he did a video about turkey so the balkans shouldn't be a problem

[@anttet]

One of so few people, whose videos I wait, is here again! Thank you, kind Parrot!

[@TheDolphinTuna]

Kraut will always be a painting of a dude with sunglasses to me

[@kakalimukherjee3297]

@@TheDolphinTuna I just discovered him last year and found some political shi*storm about him. You seem to know him from that era.

[@TheDolphinTuna]

@@kakalimukherjee3297 Yeah, I watched him from back in the day. He used to make anti-SJW content/anti-altright content. He's transitioned to making quality longform history videos now.

[@Maxatal]

Dang, the shade thrown at 16:50

[@alexander11012]

Who he was talking about?

[@CcReap3r]

@@alexander11012 I wanted to say Sargon, but I can't think of someone using a greek statue....

[@gotoShiba01]

@@CcReap3r 99% sure he used to have that as his pfp

[@CcReap3r]

@@gotoShiba01 Akkad was very far away from greese

[@EdLemieux]

I also would like to know.

[@oddballtv712]

16:51 that subtle dig was just beautiful

[@MusketWalrus]

Who was it aimed at?

[@generalpinochetfoundthesol3747]

@@MusketWalrus Paul Joseph Watson

[@unclesam5230]

@@generalpinochetfoundthesol3747 the Neo Nazi

[@MusketWalrus]

​@@generalpinochetfoundthesol3747 Are you sure? I don't recall PJW using any ancient greek iconography on his channel. Personally I was wondering if Kraut was making a dig about Sargon naming his discord server Athens, like HBomberguy referenced in his Fallout: New Vegas video a while back.

[@memescap1236]

Best channel on KZbin is back!

[@altinmares8363]

If you love history you can watch videos at channel Kings and Generals

[@mr.potato8000]

@@altinmares8363 his coverage is.... too narrow

[@thelittletyrant5539]

Small correction. In Greece when we say "the end" we say only "τέλος", "το" is self explanatory

[@chrispy1398]

Kraut says his sponsor is surfshark, he says he's teaching us Greek history. But I know that "Athenian" owl... he's up in here doing what duolingo only wishes it could.

[@mardasman428]

Thanks for providing us the info on the meaning of this sentence that I was looking for so desperately.

[@orestispasxos7433]

Watching a video on ancient Greece as a Greek myself is always a very conflicting experience. On one hand, it's great to see all the stuff you were taught in school be explained in an easily digestible way, helping people understand why we Greeks still hold onto our past the way we do. On the other hand, the numerous "haha greece poor lmao" jokes made by people who have never been to Greece are a little irritating after the 10.000th time. Putting that aside, this was a great video. Very much looking forward to the next.

[@kohterg3713]

Your mother may be greek but your father was turkish, go pay your debts now. 🤣🤣🤣

[@orestispasxos7433]

@@kohterg3713 I'll pay my debts when Turkey recognises the Armenian genocide

[@conk6379]

@@orestispasxos7433 you killed that man 😭

[@sparkpenguin]

the summarization worked-- excellent pacing and perfect length! i live alone so i watch videos when i eat my at-home night meal and that 15-20m window is perfect to absorb the information/experience and neither activity gets interrupted. as someone who looks forward to your long docs/series immensely, i'm glad to see these shortdives joining my mealtime lineup too! you distill the info so well and the visuals are perfect.

[@jvani]

Within almost 18 minutes I learned more about my country's history than I did in school. Wonderful job!

[@ebrem557]

Today is my birthday and this is the best gift! Thanks @Kraut.

[@Kraut_the_Parrot]

happy birthday :)

[@gmbrusselsprout]

Phenomenal content Kraut! This short form content is a wonderful Bite-Size version of your longer pieces and it's a great change of pace! Keep up the great work! :D

[@jackeroo_sundown]

Kraut and Historia Civilis are my two favorite channels. Always such amazing work

[@bopeep268]

5:52 "did you say family?" *Dominic Torreto walks in** Kraut: "Dominic Toreto?!" Dom: "Family is everything!"

[@DemonSliime]

As a coin collector, I understand just how important currency is in a historical sense. Say you find an ancient burial site or a grave. And in the grave there is a coin. You can use that going to narrow down who that person was. Not like their name and all that. But where they have been, at what point in time, and for what. There was pretty much a completely unique coin, every 5 mi.² They would differ from village to village, town to town, city state to city state, nation to nation. One of the most famous was mentioned in this video, and the Athenian Owl. And there are many examples, varieties, dimensions, etc. A coin can tell you so much, and if they could talk, historians would be out of a job. I. Not only did every community have their own coins, they all had multiple denominations, sizes, purities, weights, composition, etc.… Bronze, Silver, Gold, Copper, and Electrum were all very common materials used for ancient coins in various alloys, purities and weights. The designs would change quite often as well. That is why you can use an ancient coin to pinpoint where someone was on a historical timeline. In the Athenian owl was used for almost 1000 years, on and off, in various different states, either with a different reverse, a slightly different design, a different date, a different name, different motto, etc… let’s get back to that coin we found in that burial site. More likely than not we will be able to pinpoint a date within 20 years.

[@corneliuscapitalinus845]

I really do love these historical explorations you've taken to. Its definitely something that is still sorely lacking, even with historyYT.

[@BluJay30]

Finally a youtuber that puts the sponsorship at the very beginning, it makes the video easier for me to watch.

[@randomperson6988]

This had a lot more emphasis on ancestor worship than I’d ever heard of

[@MegaTang1234]

Damn, the Spartans are just on another dimension huh.

[@danskegriphinn]

when the πολιτικός is sus

[@astrolonim2032]

A brilliant return to short videos. Thank you Kraut.

[@SeruraRenge11]

I just want to say that you're slightly off about WHY Sparta used iron rods. One of the biggest reasons Sparta fell behind is because they refused to adopt standardized currency in order to prevent the hoarding of money. The closest thing they had to currency was obeloi, which are the heavy iron rods in question. In order to engage in commerce the city-state still heavily engaged in bartering. >For who was going to steal something, or take bribes in it, or steal it, or take it by force, when it wasn’t possible to conceal it, to possess it jealously, or even to make a profit by cutting it up? For the red-hot iron was quenched with vinegar, it’s said, so that the hardening took away its usefulness and value for any other purpose, making it weak and unworkable. ~ Plutarch The rods were not made for spear ends because the vinegar made them the worst spear tips in the world. They couldn't economically compete with their neighbors. They had slaves to do the hard work, were trained to be autistic misers since infancy, had a good propaganda machine, and cared not for commerce. And that's why Sparta ended as the Disneyland of Rome

[@nicolasferrante6965]

Love your content, it inspired me to study more subjects about history. Haven't watched the video yet, but I know for a fact that I will be excellent.

[@BeaverChainsaw]

What I really like about kraut is how detailed he is when he makes a certain topic, I literally see few videos of similar quality to his videos.

[@CarthagoMike]

When a 'short' video is still longer than 90% of video's on this platform.

[@grandetaco426]

I love the faster upload schedule but I'm still excited for the longer videos if you still end up doing them

[@tahsindindogru5283]

Thanks for the explanatory video Kraut! As always, perfection! I'll always watch your videos as long as you keep uplading them. Until next time, cheers mate and have a good one!

[@LightHolmes]

The comparison of Egyptian and Greek statues over time is such an excellent point. I've long been fascinated by the effect different cultures had on each other and how it's clearly seen in earlier Greek art, and the gradual change in style as the Greek society progressed. But I've never known about the correlation between the structure of both societies and the evolution of the art they create.

[@OneFlyingTonk]

Nice Video, now i can scientifically call Athens the i-am-noy-like-other-cities city

[@batugunduz3950]

Good stuff Kraut, these short videos get the message across just as well as your longer ones, but do make the longer ones as well

[@gganbp]

This channel does an impressive work with every video, be they these shorter ones or one of the 3 hour series. I'm surprised you aren't more popular

[@withnail-and-i]

There is an great book written by Numa Denis Fustel De Coulanges in the XIXth century, called "The Ancient City". The case he makes is that Greek and Roman cultures are much more alien to ours than we think, because of the cult of the ancestors and the social structure that was all built around the hearth that could never go out, and how that deeply affected their way of thinking about concepts such as Law. Very good account of the steps such a culture could have followed, although he overstated the role of religion by cherry picking some sources. That being said, he has read all of the literature in original languages, and the way that he takes two similar claims by writers of different eras and build another piece of a puzzle is genius. And he does accomplish his goal to repudiate the Robespierres and Rousseaus of his society when they saw modern cultures as analogous to the ancients. But it is much more, and still one of THE must reads (available in the public domain online).

[@omaaar2008]

Hey Kraut, I have a bachelors degree in history and although I didnt chose this as my career, I know most of the things you present but I still find great joy in listening to them yet again. Keep up with this good work! Cheers!

[@ravioli9154]

Bloody great video kraut, as much as I'll miss the hour long ones til next year, these shorter form videos are very well presented. Rather concise but still with your brilliant flair for necessary explanation. Can't wait for more ❤️

[@hombreg1]

Kraut, I'm loving your more medium lenght format. I mean, I'd take a 3 hour behemoth of a series... but I also like that you can rest a bit, whilst creating content that doesn't stress you that much

[@twenty-fifth420]

Last time I was here this early, Tenochtitlan was still the largest city in the Americas before the Spanish Nation attacked.

[@theroaria8065]

This video has about as many uses of "family" as a Fast and Furious movie

[@thelunaticcultist5157]

Wow Kraut, this is very good! Extremely informative and the art was great! It was just a little while ago that the countryballs were just perfect circles with flags in them and by just giving them a little form it adds so much personality! Thank you Kraut.

[@iamthekulture3822]

Always happy to see you upload

[@sebastianbass2219]

Recommendation: video on Mississippi and how it transformed from the wealthiest American state to the poorest.

[@Giganfan2k1]

Dude... Too soon. XD

[@grahamturner2640]

How and when was it the wealthiest state? And is even West Virginia more wealthy than Mississippi?

[@sebastianbass2219]

@@grahamturner2640 One word: slavery. And yes all the other southern states are wealthier than Mississippi because it resisted Reconstruction.

[@anonymousanonymous7250]

16:57 Don't you mean they name themselves after ancient Mesopotamian kings?

[@shark-gf7ff]

Just commenting to see if he was referring to anyone other than Sargon

[@pauldefillippo8490]

@@shark-gf7ff that's who popped in my head

[@EdLemieux]

I was wondering who he was throwing a dig at but I couldn't name anybody. Sargon was the one that I thought of but that context is wrong. Anyone actually know who he's talking about?

[@kategoryland8346]

@@EdLemieux Sargon's discord server is called "Athens". I assumed that is what Kraut was referring to.

[@kanekyrocryptic7853]

@@kategoryland8346 And he is also British just like countryball in the picture

[@caesarcaetalion9672]

As usual, top quality content from Kraut. Thank you for another informative and fun video!

[@jcm95]

Finally Kraut. You’re back on track!!! Looking forward to see more

[@Luey_Luey]

I want to be one of the people to say that I like the return of the shorter videos. I still have yet to set aside the time to watch the final 2hr installment of the Mexico series, but I've actually got the time to watch through this video the same day it released. The shorter videos are more accessible for me at least

[@HyouSubaru]

"Sparta is strong... But not as strong as the Family." - Idomeneus Torettidis [ 420 BC ]

[@EasyCompanyStudios]

As always, high-level work and great visuals to show in your videos. Thank you for sharing history.

[@RecolitusMorbus]

I will say, it was a nice surprise to see you pop up in my alerts so quickly after the last video. Great coverage, btw.

[@fissavids8767]

16:50 is this a reference to sarkon of akkad?

[@P99s-s]

Athens was (like Sparta) also somewhat unique and more of an exception among the Greek city states, especially because because their power came from their navy and the navy needed a bunch of lower class people, even just to row the triremes, so these people now found enough political power to pressure the elites of Athens into a "democracy" (the word used in its ancient sense) and honestly Athenian democracy was far from a logical, well functioning governing operatus…. looking at the Sicilian expedition is enough to make that clear Anyway, that development did not happen in Corinth or Thebes or Argos, combine that with Athens involvement in the Persian wars, the silver mine and the advantageous geography and you got a recipe for a city state that could undergo the journey into statehood Also we shouldn’t forget that Athens is so well studied among the city states simply because of sources, we just have far more surviving information on Athens then any other city state (and that alone already tells us something about the unique nature of the whole thing)

[@gorgoramsi239]

I love these videos that you make, I've watched nearly all of them, and I reference them often to my friends and family. Keep up the good work!

[@benskji]

thank you for posting your sources and music sources!! for a long time that was my biggest criticism with this channel, was that your sources and your media was not cited, and as a result it was difficult to read from your sources myself or just listen to the nice music you have in the background. i have yet to watch the video but i appreciate the citations in the description, it really helps mate :)

[@nicks816]

Ultimate chad moves: >walk in >invents partial democracy in less than a year >leaves

[@delta5433]

5:52 -Vin Diesel

[@Jobe-13]

😂

[@dustin2072]

Ive been waiting for this thanks for the sick content homie

[@IDriinkChe3se]

Excellent video. Very compact information into 18 minutes. Both your short and long-form videos are great

[@Sealdrop]

gyros or something idk i'm swiss

[@georgios_5342]

5:24 of course it does. Remember Achilles, before the battle in Troy, he said to his tribe, the Myrmidons "Only one omen is good:fight for the land of your (fore)fathers."

[@somedude7740]

Great work Kraut. Always love how digestible you present the information!

[@wubwub247]

This deserves more views in one day, I love the shorter videos Kraut! Always loved your style and your insights but I'm a zoomer who can't focus for thirty minutes so I always appreciate them:) love all your content though, keep it up❤

[@rorycampbell7490]

Unless you already have, there’s content in relation to evidence that argues how Sparta was not the warrior based society we thought it was. The iron rod thing did happen as-well as their regimented society but none of it was exclusively militaristic as the society as a whole was an Aristocratic collective that demanded discipline not to make better warrior but rather better citizens.

[@TrollCommando]

If you don't idealise ancient Greece, you just don't know enough.

[@jerrysmith7533]

thank you for this video essay!

[@reinlohengramm8846]

Great stuff as always! I liked the format, though I wouldn't mind a four hour series on ancient greek (city) states :p

[@babyblooddistilleriesinc3131]

1:34 I was uder the impression that we simply don't know wether or not the Mycenaeans( aka, bronze-age, Greek civilization) were politically unifed.

[@globe0147]

I don’t think. The Mycenaeans were all the unified, it still seems like a lot of polities that SOMETIMES worked together in the illiad.

[@sorsocksfake]

The main answer would be in Kraut's definition of a "state". In many a sense, even tribes and gangs are states, in that they hold power over their residents, make and enforce rules, and so forth. Bronze age kingdoms can certainly be seen as states, as systems of rule - often with an extensive administrative system already. Kraut seems to use the term here, either for a modern, somewhat liberal state (characterized by universal laws, checks and balances etc). Or for a system that is governed by the system itself, rather than by a strongman's edict. As far as I'm aware, the Mycenaeans would rather be a network of city-states ruled by kings, which might ally and unite both defensively and offensively. It's hard to tell any details though. Quickly we'd start relying on much later legends, which may largely be speaking of their own time in a historical backdrop (as many "historical" novels and plays do).

[@GijsTheDog]

"Civilisation is where laws rule, not men" -Arristotle

[@unclesam5230]

Oh how far we have strayed from Civilization then

[@HansHammertime]

Great video! I love ancient history, and this is one of my favourite videos about it now!

[@felipem7626]

Awesome work man, the artists did an amazing job as always

[@noradrenalin8062]

16:56 At least they don't use ancient Sumerian kings or something like that...

[@csours]

Old Greeceball: We live in a society. Young Hellenball: So THAT's what you call it.

[@tkc5980]

This format works fine Kraut. Keep up the good work, while I prefer long form this is still very good.

[@seabass9916]

Excellent video! Really happy to see you trying more sustainable shorter-form content!