<A> analogy: *
Spengler’s primary method in his analysis of history; he refuted the relevance of cause-effect in historical research, relegating it to science. Spengler offers up numerous examples of both correct and incorrect analogy, the former synchronized correctly with the Cultural life cycles of differing Cultures, the latter being mere artistic invention, even when they appear similar but which are NOT synchronized with the life cycles. Notably he is critical of Ranke (1795-1886), a fellow German considered the father of modern historical research & methods
<B> polarity: *
Spengler’s use of the word is distinct from the scientific; in his nomenclature it is the characteristic of the microcosmic, waking-consciousness, it is tension and extension & can distinguish causes and effects, its prime question is where and how?”; it exists in states of wakefulness and alertness (sense & object, I and thou, cause and effect) or the spiritual as the negative of the worldly, the ideas of outward and inward; he also develops this as artistic expression being either ornament or imitation; high polarity is a character of Faustian Culture; its inverse, a lack of polarity is reflected in Apollonian Culture; it is an idea derived from Goethe’s Theory of Colours (1810)
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<C> periodicy: *
Spengler’s use of the word is distinct from the scientific: all that is cosmic bears the hall-mark of periodicity; it has" beat", cosmic beat, as direction, time, rhythm, destiny, longing; a characteristic of being or becoming; it is organic, the plant (lacking waking-consciousness) knows only relations to the “when”; its organic growth is desire to fulfil a destiny
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<D> morphologically:*
form and structure, linear shape, were fundamental to Spengler’s method in his comparisons of Cultures, especially outward appearance (shape, structure, colour, pattern, size); his approach turns symbols into high value historical objects; again it is clearly derived from Goethe (Metamorphosis of Plants, 1790)
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<E> Anthony:*
Following the victory of the Triumvirs, they divided the Republic: Antony received Rome's eastern provinces, including Egypt, then ruled by Cleopatra VII. Each of the 3 then sought greater political power. Anthony’s marriage to Octavia (Octavian’s sister) averted civil war in 40 BC. However he blatantly cheated on her with Cleopatra (who gave him 3 children) straining relations with Octavian. In 31 BC civil war erupted. The Senate (under Octavian) declared war on Cleopatra & named Anthony traitor. At the Battle of Actium Anthony was defeated by Octavian; he fled to Egypt where he & Cleopatra committed suicide.
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<F> Hungarians:*
Their raids across the Carpathian Mountains were initially resisted by locals in 894, but the migration continued and soon they controlled the lowlands east of the river Danube. In 900 AD they attacked & occupied Pannonia (west of the Danube). They exploited internal conflicts in Moravia & annihilated this state circa 905. In 907 they strengthened their control of the Carpathian Basin by defeating a Bavarian army. They launched a series of plundering raids between 899 and 955 and also targeted the Byzantine Empire.
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<G> Alcibiades:*
A shrewd commander (though given to taking big chances), a clever strategist & brilliant diplomat; also an incredibly vain, ambitious & unscrupulous politician who never hesitated to use strategies that were duplicitous (e.g. his dealings with the Spartan ambassadors in 421 BC); after thwarting the peace party of Nicias, he went on to form an alliance with Argos & other Peloponnesian polis, a clear threat to Sparta; in 418 this alliance was defeated at the battle of Mantinea. He promoted the Sicilian campaign & was appointed general (417) leading it until his trial for sacrilege (415); he subsequently defected to Sparta (415-412); he provided them valuable advice, notably establishing a permanent fort at Decelea (adjacent to Athens), cutting the city off from its rural hinterland, crops & silver mines of Sunium. This helped break the Delian League of Athens. Despite this useful aid he again fell out of favour (it was rumoured he had slept with the Spartan King’s wife!). Fearing assassination he fled to Persia where he served 412-411 giving useful advice (which was damaging to Sparta). He was recalled to Athens in 407 following several successful campaigns against the Spartans. In 406 however he was defeated at the sea battle of Notium by the Spartan admiral Lysander. Blamed for this defeat he decided again to leave Athens; in 404 he was assassinated probably in a Spartan plot.