Skip to content

For of those [cities] that were great in earlier times…

“For of those [cities] that were great in earlier times, most of them have now become small, while those which were great in my time were small formerly.” quote by Herodotus
Download Open image
“For of those [cities] that were great in earlier times, most of them have now become small, while those which were great in my time were small formerly.”

Herodotus

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Cities rise and fall; greatness is temporary and context‑dependent.

In simple terms: Cities change over time.

Key Takeaway

Recognize impermanence of status.

Themes

history change impermanence

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

historical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • urban planning
  • political strategy
  • cultural preservation

Key Concepts

civilization cycles temporal perspective

Questions to Reflect On

  • What can modern societies learn from past cities?
  • How can we sustain lasting impact?
A Different Perspective

Focusing on past glory can hinder future innovation.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Herodotus

Explore all 145 Herodotus quotes

More Change quotes

Browse all 33,920 Change quotes