History books are filled with grand narratives of wars, revolutions, and political upheavals, yet they often overlook a fundamental driving force behind these events—human emotions. Fear, jealousy, grief, and anger have shaped societies just as much as military strategies and political ideologies. However, historians are now beginning to recognize the role of emotions in shaping the course of human history.
Humans are
inherently emotional beings, but the expression of their emotions is influenced
by their social status. The emotional narratives of the elite differ from those
of the lower classes. Even when both the rich and the poor experience the same
emotions, their responses often diverge due to societal structures and
expectations.
The
Universal Fear of Death
One of the
most common emotions across cultures and social hierarchies is fear—especially
the fear of death. Major religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity,
and Islam, emphasize the fear of divine judgment and the afterlife, often
portraying death as the gateway to eternal consequences. In contrast, ancient
pagan societies, such as the Egyptians, envisioned an afterlife similar to
their earthly existence, minimizing the dread associated with death.
Fear also
operates within hierarchical societies where the weak live under the shadow of
the powerful. In authoritarian regimes, rulers use fear as a tool to maintain
control. Niccolò Machiavelli, in The Prince, famously argued that a
ruler must be feared rather than loved. He advocated for ruthless punishments
to ensure loyalty and obedience.
Machiavelli's
ideal ruler, Cesare Borgia, mastered the art of instilling terror. Instead of
personally enacting violence, he delegated it to ministers who carried out
brutal acts on his behalf. Once these ministers became reviled, Borgia would
have them executed publicly to reinforce his image as a just ruler.
Interestingly,
fear was not exclusive to the subjects—it plagued the rulers themselves.
Monarchs lived in constant paranoia, wary of conspiracies brewing within their
courts. Some went to extreme lengths to protect themselves. One Persian king,
for example, was so fearful of assassination that he changed his sleeping
quarters every night, sometimes even taking refuge in a servant's chamber.
The Abbasid
Caliphs were no exception. Abu Muslim Khorasani played a crucial role in
bringing the Abbasids to power, yet the first Abbasid caliph, Abu al-Abbas
al-Saffah, had him assassinated out of fear that he might become a rival.
Similarly, Harun al-Rashid ordered the execution of Ja'far Barmaki and the
downfall of the influential Barmakid family, driven by jealousy and fear of
their growing power.
The
Paralysis of Fear in Society
When fear
pervades a society—be it religious, political, or social—it fosters apathy and
despair. People become hesitant to voice opinions, their talents remain
stifled, and their joy in life diminishes. Societies dominated by fear often
see diminished creativity and innovation as individuals are too preoccupied
with survival to pursue higher aspirations.
The
Destructive Power of Anger
While fear
keeps people subdued, anger propels them into action—often with devastating
consequences. Decisions made in a fit of rage frequently lead to regret.
Consider
Alexander the Great. After conquering Persia, he adopted several Persian court
customs. One of his childhood friends objected to these changes during a
drunken gathering. Enraged, Alexander grabbed a guard’s sword and fatally
stabbed his friend. Once he regained his senses, he was overcome with remorse
and wept bitterly for his rashness.
History is
replete with such moments of impulsive fury, but it also offers examples of
rulers who mastered their anger. Emperor Akbar, for instance, once threatened
to personally execute Asad Beg for failing to prevent the murder of Abu’l Fazl.
However, upon learning that Asad Beg had stayed behind on Abu’l Fazl’s own
orders, Akbar controlled his temper and granted him clemency.
The
Public and Private Faces of Grief
Grief is
another emotion that history often records—but mainly when it affects rulers
and elites. The common people, despite experiencing profound sorrow, seldom
have their stories preserved unless expressed through public protests or
uprisings.
When the
Mongols killed Prince Muhammad, the son of Sultan Ghiyasuddin Balban, the
grieving father maintained a composed exterior in court. Yet, in the solitude
of his palace, he broke down and wept uncontrollably. This contrast between
public stoicism and private anguish underscores the different ways emotions are
experienced across social classes.
Similarly,
when Emperor Akbar received news of Abu’l Fazl’s murder, he was deeply
distressed. Mughal tradition states that the message was delivered by an envoy
who stood before Akbar with his hands wrapped in a white cloth—symbolizing
tragic news. The emperor, devastated by the loss of his close advisor,
reportedly fasted for three days in mourning.
Honor:
The Price of Life
Throughout
history, individuals have been willing to sacrifice their lives for honor.
During the Trojan War, Hector’s wife pleaded with him to avoid fighting
Achilles, warning that his death would lead to the enslavement of his family.
However, Hector chose to fight, viewing the battle as a matter of honor—and
perished in combat.
In Europe,
dueling was once an accepted way to defend one’s honor. The renowned Russian
poet Alexander Pushkin lost his life in a duel, demonstrating how deeply
ingrained the concept of honor was in historical societies.
Shame and
Retribution
The concept
of shame and its consequences also played a crucial role in history. A
legendary example comes from ancient Rome. When the wife of Brutus was
assaulted by the king, she recounted the horror to her husband and then took
her own life out of shame. Enraged, Brutus displayed her lifeless body in the
streets, vowing to overthrow the monarchy. His actions led to the establishment
of the Roman Republic.
Ironically,
Brutus—belonging to the same lineage—would later be involved in the
assassination of Julius Caesar, once again proving that emotions, particularly
vengeance and betrayal, remain a potent force in history.
The
Enduring Role of Emotions in Human History
Emotions
like jealousy, rivalry, love, hatred, and prejudice have been ever-present in
human history, shaping events and influencing destinies. Whether through the
fear-driven policies of rulers, the fury-fueled decisions of warriors, or the
grief-stricken laments of the bereaved, emotions have left an indelible mark on
our collective past.
Despite the
progress of civilisations, human nature remains unchanged. The same emotions
that dictated the rise and fall of empires continue to shape modern societies,
reminding us that history is not just a record of events—but also of human
emotions and their enduring power.
Sources:
1. Fear
as a Political Tool
- Machiavelli, Niccolò. The
Prince.
(1513) – Discusses the use of fear to maintain power.
- Skinner, Quentin. Machiavelli:
A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 1981.
2.
Historical Rulers and Fear
- Bull, Marcus. The Fear of God
and the Fear of Hell in Medieval Society. Ashgate Publishing, 2014.
- Gibbon, Edward. The History
of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. (1776) – Documents the paranoia
of Roman emperors.
- Bosworth, Clifford Edmund. The
Abbasid Caliphate in Islamic History. Cambridge University Press,
2004.
3. Anger
and Rash Decisions in History
- Plutarch. Lives of the Noble
Greeks and Romans. – Discusses Alexander the Great’s anger and impulsive decisions.
- Lane-Poole, Stanley. The Life
of Akbar the Great. Archibald Constable & Co., 1890.
4. The
Role of Grief and Honor in Leadership
- Friedman, John Block. The
Monstrous Races in Medieval Art and Thought. Harvard University Press, 1981.
– Discusses mourning customs in medieval rulers.
- Herodotus. Histories. – Discusses Hector, Achilles,
and honor in ancient warfare.
- Pushkin, Alexander. Eugene
Onegin. –
Reflects on the culture of dueling in Europe.
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