Greek Biography

If Greece is considered a living entity, this book can be considered a biography of Greece. From its origins in the Mycenaean civilization to the Hellenistic period, the book chronicles the rise, prosperity, and gradual decline of Greek city-states. Throughout this process, Greece nurtured concepts familiar to us today, such as science, democracy, and citizenship. Greek thought also evolved accordingly, from the Homeric heroic pursuit of individual excellence to becoming a member of a city-state and taking pride in honoring it. In the Hellenistic period, the Greeks, more like modern people, focused on how to maintain individual peace of mind in a chaotic world, for they were cast into a larger world, no longer just individuals within their city-states.
This book reveals ancient Greece through the eyes of philosopher Chen Jiaying, who has captured his understanding, insights, and emotions about ancient Greece over the years. As the book suggests, achieving a higher existence has always been the Greek ideal. And the ancient Greeks have always provided us with insights into what constitutes a good life.
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1) Philosopher Chen Jiaying's introductory book on ancient Greece for the general public, a long-lost example of a "big book in a small package"—
The highly respected philosopher Chen Jiaying has written many philosophical works and collections of thoughts, but this book about ancient Greece was written specifically for ordinary readers. It is easy to read and has a unique perspective. It can be read superficially or in depth, and is especially worth reading repeatedly.
The articles in the book are clear and concise, clear and powerful. They have the ease of a great scholar, the spontaneous expression of a sincere and frank personality, and the unique insights gained from decades of immersion in ancient Greece.
2) Embedding philosophy in history, with both depth and breadth.
The book follows a roughly chronological narrative, stretching from the dawn of Greek civilization to the Hellenistic period, presenting a comprehensive account of the rise and fall of ancient Greek city-states. From myth to epic, and then to history, the book chronicles the struggles of the gods, the destruction of Troy, the prosperity of Athens, the heroics of Thermopylae, the tragedy of the Peloponnesian War, and Alexander's fleeting glory. The author occasionally creates fictional characters, contrasting them with the philosopher Socrates and the statesman Alcibiades, to help us understand the essence of a city-state and its inhabitants.
3) Chen Jiaying's perspective on Greece reveals a unique philosophical concern.
Greek history is a turbulent tapestry of intellectual creation. What is written and what is left out reflects the author's perspective. How can one live a good life? This is Socrates's dominant question, and it remains a recurring theme throughout the book. This philosophical perspective renders ancient Greece no longer distant, but rather a stark contrast to us today. This stark contrast helps us understand ourselves.

2025-01-01

广西师范大学出版社

Casting Culture

252

9787559875013