Introduction: A Cultural History of Genocide in the Ancient World

Abstract

<p>The discussion of the cultural history of genocide in the ancient world presupposes that genocide exists as a phenomenon in this period; a matter of controversy. Certainly, one can find clear references to intentional massacres of groups of people in antiquity in various sources. Let us consider two examples from the ancient Mediterranean world. First, in an oft-cited passage (Chalk and Jonassohn 1990: 58; van Wees 2010: 239; 2016: 22; Jones 2017: 2-3), from one of the foundational texts of Western literature-Homer's <i>Iliad</i>-where the Greek leader Agamemnon upbraids his brother Menelaus for contemplating sparing a Trojan:</p> <p>"Soft hearted Menelaus, why are you so caring for men? Has great kindness been done you in your house by Trojans? Of them let not one escape sheer destruction and our hands, not even the boy whom his mother carries in her womb; let not even him escape, but let all perish together from Ilios, unmourned and unseen. So spoke the warrior, and turned his brother's mind, for he counselled rightly."</p>(Homer, <i>Iliad</cite></i> 6.55-62, trans. Murray)