Epos and national identity : transformation and incarnations

Abstract

In his 1990 book E. J. Hobsbawm outlines the history of nationalism. He begins with the French Revolution, proceeds through stages like "protonationalism," "transformation" (1870-1918), and the "apogee" of nationalism (1918-50) to the late twentieth century, and finally ends up with a prophecy according to which (in light of the progress in the study and analysis of nations) nationalism is past its peak: "The owl of Minerva which brings wisdom, said Hegel, flies out at dusk. It is a good sign that it is now circling round nations and nationalism" (182-83).Issue title; "Epics Along the Silk Roads.