Sunday 5 July 2009

A History of History

During our yearly visits to London escorting her Spanish english language students the wife and I get a chance to visit a museum or two with them. (Usually the British Museum). Yesterday we spent some time in the Enlightenment gallery of the BM. The two photos below tell a strange story about the Enlightenment; unlike the other histories depicted in the museum European Enlightenment history is in part a history of the European’s view of history. The Enlightenment was a time of increasing self-awareness.


The Artifacts of the Enlightenment; somebody else's history. Basically it's a museum in a museum


The accompanying legend: A meta view of religion can threaten a parochial religion. (click to enlarge)



The Wars of the Enlightenment: We try not to mention Trafalgar to this lot, but if you're taking them round London it's difficult.