Ideology and Mythology: Esther Eidinow and the View from Classics

Dr Esther Eidinow was an Assistant Professor in Ancient Greek History at the University of Nottingham. She is now a Professor in Ancient History at the University of Bristol.

In this conversation with Maiken, she discusses parallels between ancient myths and modern ideologies. She suggests that the story form is what lends political, moral and religious ideas credibility and persuasiveness, and that this narrative form, originating in ancients myths, still matters to the way we organise our political beliefs today.

Do you agree? When and where do political actors use narrative to convey political ideas? And what about your own beliefs? Do you ever resort to story-telling when you are asked to explain why you support particular political ideas or principles?