As promised last issue we bring you an interview with that leading
light in the field of history and York's
bars, clubs, dens of iniquity and University - Elentari! It was hard to track
her down, but when I finally managed it I was reminded to make things
'comfortable' for her:

My manager is forwarding my interview rider to you as we speak - I
like my Evian cold.

Ah, I'll chill it with the Antarctic Core Ice we had imported in
especially *wanders off to find the ice tray for his fridge, muttering
something about prima donnas*.

Anyway, I must say I've been looking forward to chewing the
goose fat with you in regards to history. It's quite obvious you have
a real love of anything Roman¹, so where did this stem from?

Actually, I wouldn't say I just prefer the Romans to other periods,
I just happen to have written lots of entries on them! I've always had
an interest in ancient history, and I suppose the Romans were more
accessible because we studied them at school.

When I started my A levels, my college offered four types of
history - Ancient, Medieval, Tudor, and Modern. I chose Ancient
History, though if I was to choose now, I'd probably pick Medieval -
most of my degree modules have been medieval. The first year of
Ancient History was on the Romans in Britain, and the second was on
5th Century BC Greece. I enjoyed both, but I actually preferred
Greece.

So history is something you grew to love through school? Was
there anyone who helped gravitate you towards it? A teacher, a TV
presenter like John Romer/Simon Schama? And speaking of TV, do you
think that there may have been a resurgence in people being interested
in Ancient History with contemporary film (Troy, Alexander, 300) and
television (Rome) doing very well? Or do you think that perhaps deep
down we all love a bit of history, but are picky in how it's presented
to us?

Breaking out the difficult questions early, Matt?

I'm not really sure what got me into history. My mom is very
interested in it which I dare say had an impact. I remember when I was
in primary school we were learning about the Egyptians, and had to do
some sort of a project on it. I distinctly remember that most people
wrote a page or two and I wrote six!

I don't know if TV and film have lead to a greater interest in
ancient history. I'm more inclined to believe that they're just
well-known stories and people and often suit a good guys vs bad guys
presentation. I'd like to think that everyone has a love of history,
however deep it's buried, but unfortunately I'm not sure it's true.
Some people just don't seem to care. I've never understood that
attitude - what's interesting about history is the people, their lives
and motivations. History shows us how we got where we are; how can
that not be fascinating?

Ah, so are historians are just a bunch of nosy parkers who want
to know the juicy gossip about whether or not Mr Magnon was having a
fling with Miss Erectus then? As far as the past is concerned, are
historians the people with that car-crash mentality? I myself am more
interested in the history of 'things' than the history of people, but
do you believe there really is a difference? To understand the
history of a thing, do you really have to understand the people behind
it too?

There is a degree of that I think, but to my mind it's more about
how people affected events. It probably differs between historians! I
think to understand the history of things, you have to understand
factors like why it was made and why it was important, which does
relate to people. There's a lot of different ways of looking at
history, though. Post-modern, gender, social, class, and so on and so
forth. It all gives me a headache!

Oh, I mustn't give you a headache, we're just getting into the
nitty-gritty of it all now! Now, as you mentioned, you quite like
Greek, Roman and Medieval history, but if you were able to travel in
time, where would you go? There is one little proviso though. You
can travel there, but you can't come back! Where and when do you
think you'd manage to fit in and make a go of it?

Ooh, good question! I have actually thought about this before. I
have to say though, while in a way I'd love to go to one of my
favourite periods and see what they were really like, if I can't come
back that's a different story! Low life expectancy, difficulty in
travelling... and how would I cope without hootoo? Maybe I'd go to the
1920s. Oxford or London, I think. Maybe 1950's America. That's a really
difficult question! Where would you go?

Ahem, who's asking the questions here, eh? (probably the 12th
or 13th Century so I can get embroiled in royal intrigue...tee hee)
Moving on though, with your amazing time-travelling device, if you
could alter something from the past, what would it be?

Bit of a cop-out, but I wouldn't change anything. Far too risky.
Have you never seen Back To The Future?

Oh, but Marty and the Doc were just bumbling about, you'd do it
professionally...

Okay, politic answer aside, if you could be anyone from the past
- who? Would you step into the shoes of someone well-known, or would
you prefer to experience a day in the life of someone like Mrs A
Carbonara, 12 Vulcan Way, Pompeii?

I might be professional, but I'd also be bad. Mind you, Bill and
Ted seemed to manage...

I definitely would not go to Pompeii. I had to read Pliny the
Younger's letters about the eruption last year and it sounded
terrifying. It'd be pretty cool to be someone in the crowd during VE
day celebrations in London, or at the liberation of Paris. The
atmosphere and sense of jubilation must have been something else. On
the other hand, what about a concert-goer at Woodstock? Janis, Jimi
and the rest? Yes please. Maybe I could be Elizabeth I on the day she
got the news of the defeat of the Spanish Armada. This is far too
difficult.

Okay, let's change tack then, what historical item would you
like to get your hands on, and why?

Do I get to keep it? I've got quite a liking for old maps, so maybe
one of those, but I don't know enough about them to specify one,
except maybe an early Mercator projection or an old Roman map. I also
like weapons, so I'd probably go for a nice (if that's not too strange
a word to use, given the context) sword. Something not too heavy,
cause I'm only 5'3"!

Perhaps the Spear of Destiny? Would that do? Without its shaft
of course. And that brings me nicely to my next question. There is
often much excitement about historical artefacts, structures or events
that hold religious importance, do you think it's important for
historians to have a good grasp of belief systems?

I definitely think it's important. Imagine a post-Apocalyptic world
1000 years from now. Archaeologists are digging around and they find
lots of copies of a book called 'The Bible' preserved in various
places. What's to stop them assuming it's no different to the Harry
Potter and Stephen King books they also find?

Ah, but the Cult of Potter will reign supreme!! Sorry, got
excited there. Very good point, it would be interesting to see how
future historians see the world of today. But let's round things off
now.

You've a fancy dress party to go to, and its loosely based theme
is 'famous figures from history'. Who do you go as, and why?

I hate fancy dress. I'm no good at coming up with ideas. Let's
see... it needs to be someone recognisable and for the sake of
argument, I'm going to assume that money is no object. Elizabeth I
would be good again, but I'd probably be Joan of Arc. I admire her
quite a lot. We studied her in my Heroes module last term. She must
have had extraordinary charisma and courage.

Joan of Arc eh? One little hottie right up to the end! Ahem,
anyway, I'll think we'll conclude on that image. Thanks for your
time, I'm off to read up on witches and covens and dancing about naked
in the moonlight...

No problem, thanks to you too!

I wouldn't want to keep you from your naked dancing...

My cheque's in the post, then?

Keeping Up With Dr Jones Archive

Matt

with Elentari

24.04.08 Front Page

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