History

On the walls of the ancient Temple of Apollo at Delphi was inscribed the Greek maxim, "know yourself." As the Greeks understood, there is no better way to "know yourself" than through the study of history. Students of history not only study people and cultures that have long since passed away, but they put history to the question by evaluating evidence and analyzing the interrelationships among people, ideas and events. To study history is to reflect upon the human condition in all its dimensions, from the highest glories of human achievement to the tragedy of humanity’s darkest nights. History, therefore, serves as an essential foundation for a liberal arts education that is truly liberating. As Cicero put it, "to be ignorant of history is always to remain a child."