Richard Miles (historian): Elite

Richard Miles (historian) is British historian and archaeologist. Explore interesting quotes on elite.
Richard Miles (historian): 14 quotes0 likes

“Writing certainly develops as an elite initiative at this [ancient] time. It helps them to harness the workforce – it's a way of communicating with the gods; and it's a way for the elites to list what you have, and what they have.”

Richard Miles (historian)

My bright idea: Civilisation is still worth striving for

“If you are looking at fine buildings or the literature of the period, you have to be aware that you are only dealing with the mindset of the elite.”

Richard Miles (historian)

My bright idea: Civilisation is still worth striving for

“In some respects, cities are bottom-up processes, but they are also top-down initiatives – and elites soon develop. Religion is older than the city, but the elites quickly build temples and turn themselves into priests. As they become more powerful the temples they build also have huge storehouses. What you see is that the man who has a surplus of material is the powerful man. This is because everyone is living hand-to-mouth, and if you have a bad harvest one year, well, you're stuffed.”

Richard Miles (historian)

My bright idea: Civilisation is still worth striving for