I recently listened to Thomas Carlyle's On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History. It is one of those books that has acquired a reputation few people seem interested in challenging. Mention Carlyle today, particularly in academic circles, and before long someone will invoke the "Great Man Theory" as though the matter has been settled. … Continue reading On Heroes and Hero-Worship in the Information Age
Category: Classical Tradition
Essays reflecting on the literature, philosophy, and historical legacy of the ancient Greek and Roman world. These posts explore how classical ideas about virtue, politics, and human nature continue to shape Western thought.
Arete and the Meaning of Excellence
The Greek word arete is often translated as “virtue,” though I have never been fully satisfied with the equivalence. Virtue, as we tend to use the term, carries a moral tone and sometimes a certain stillness, as if it were something one might possess and set aside. Arete, at least as I understand it, seems less settled. It … Continue reading Arete and the Meaning of Excellence
The Bag of Winds
There is a small moment in The Odyssey that I find myself returning to more often as I get older. I am not entirely sure why this one has stayed with me. It is not one of the famous scenes; it passes quickly, as if Homer knew its meaning required little elaboration, or perhaps as … Continue reading The Bag of Winds
A Republic of you can keep it, Part II
In a previous post, I touched on the topic of the instability of democracy. Democracy is an unstable political machine. It requires frequent maintenance and its gears wear out quickly. In America, the gears of the machine (i.e. politicians) must be replaced at two, four, and six year intervals, depending the particular gear being replaced. … Continue reading A Republic of you can keep it, Part II
The Trojan connection?
Posted on Slashdot today is the article below that I intend to shanghai for a slightly different purpose:Birthplace of Indoeuropean Languages Found: phantomfive writes "Language geeks might be interested in a recent study that suggests Turkey as the birthplace of the Indo-European language family. The Indo-European family is the largest, and includes languages as diverse … Continue reading The Trojan connection?
How and why do myths arise?
Thoughts on myths from a true academian:How and why do myths arise?:Myth: A Very Short IntroductionBy Robert A. SegalIt is trite to say that one’s pet subject is interdisciplinary. These days what subject isn’t? The prostate? But myth really is interdisciplinary. For there is no study of myth as myth, the way, by contrast, there … Continue reading How and why do myths arise?
First modern Olympic Games held in Athens
I've recently started following the Oxford University Press's blog and found this article interesting:First modern Olympic Games held in Athens:This Day in World HistoryApril 6, 1896First modern Olympic Games held in AthensAn estimated 60,000 spectators witnessed the opening ceremonies of the first modern Olympic Games, held in Athens, Greece, on April 6, 1896. The ceremonies … Continue reading First modern Olympic Games held in Athens
