Definition: German historian Oswald Spengler's 1926 book, The Decline of the West, discussed his suspicions that Western civilization expressed by Europe was in a steep, inevitable decline. Spengler argued that if one compared the 'eight great civilizations' it was clear that each lasted a cycle of 1000 years to end in collapse, and that Europe, like the other seven (Egyptian, Chinese, Babylonian, Indian, Arabian, Greco-Roman, and Mayan) was headed for disaster, particularly in view of World War I. Hitler and his boys thought Spengler meant the Third Reich was a really great idea; but Spengler vehemently disagreed with the persecution of the Jews and the biological determination of the Nazi party.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Sources for the term include the references listed on the front page of the Dictionary, and the websites listed in the sidebar.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Sources for the term include the references listed on the front page of the Dictionary, and the websites listed in the sidebar.
Also Known As: Osvaldo Spengler
