Module Number: EU-15

Date: 23 May 2007

Title: Origins and Movements of Greek Intellectuals

Introduction:

While Athens will never lose its place as the intellectual hub of the Ancient Greek world, it is important to realize the degree to which such activity occurred throughout the Mediterranean at this time and before. The following modules are representations of the variety in both the places of origin of various ancient thinkers and the places to which they traveled.

Legend/key/instructions to artist:

Section Title: Origins

Introduction:

This module is a representation of the birthplaces of all the significant intellectuals (i.e. poets, philosophers, historians, mathematicians, etc.) of the Greek world from the eighth century BC until the death of Alexander in 323. It is an attempt to show the variety of city-states throughout the Mediterranean that generated intellectual activity, as well as the various changes throughout major time periods. It also reinforces the notion that, while activity was certainly concentrated in Athens during the fifth century, thinkers were coming from all over the Greek world, as far east as Asia Minor and as far west as Sicily. As some of the figures were active over many decades, they have been placed in the time period that best reflects their respective dates of floruit.

Frame No: 1

Most of the intellectual endeavors of this time were expressed through poetry, and poets can be found throughout the Mediterranean, although there was more activity coming from Asia Minor and the islands of the Aegean than the mainland at this time. There was also activity as far as Sicily in the later part of this time period.

Frame No: 2

Activity in mainland Greece increased at this time, although there were still a great many thinkers coming from the southern parts of Asia Minor, particularly in the fields of philosophy and history. Athens began to bring forth a large concentration of intellectuals.

Frame No: 3

Activity at this time became more concentrated in Athens and several thinkers were now coming from Northern Greece as well. The level of activity in Italy and Sicily remained relatively the same.

Frame No: 4

Athens was at its height during this period and, apart from a few cases in Northern Greece, Asia Minor, and Sicily, most activity was concentrated within mainland Greece and its surrounding islands.

Frame No: 5

While Athens remained an intellectual hub during this period, thinkers begin to come from the farthest reaches of the Mediterranean, from places like Sinope, Byzantium, and Cyrene in Africa.

Section: 2

Section Title: Origins

Introduction:

Travel for intellectual and political pursuit became frequent during the height of Ancient Greece, and this module was a representation of some of the travels made by a select group of individuals from the prior module. While the sophists were known to have wandered the Mediterranean in search of students, many other intellectuals made journeys as well, whether because of political persecution, at the invitation of a tyrant, to participate in a festival, or to facilitate his craft. The travels of only a few intellectuals have been represented, but they have been chosen from a variety of disciplines and are indicative of the general patterns of movement during the various time periods.

Frame No: 1

Travels at this time were generally restricted to cities around the Aegean, although it was said that Thales’ services were requested in Egypt and Halys. Alcaeus may have also traveled to Egypt, but otherwise stayed in Northern Asia Minor and Thrace.

Frame No: 2

Travels across the Mediterranean, from Greece to Italy or vice versa, became more common at this time. It was also the first time period during which Athens seems to have attracted figures from as far away as Italy. Xenophanes (not represented) was said to have led a wandering life, but the particularities of his travels are uncertain, other than that he spent much time in Sicily and throughout the Peloponnese.

Frame No: 3

Travel to Italy became more common during this period, although many of these journeys relate more to the foundation of colonies rather than intellectual pursuits. Athens also attracted many figures to its various festivals. Foreign travel also became more common, with figures like Herodotus traveling to places outside the scope of the Mediterranean.

Frame No: 4

There was less activity in Italy and Asia Minor during this period, but Athens remained a popular site. Travel throughout the Peloponnese, to places like Sparta and Olympia, becomes more common during this period.

Frame No: 5

Travel in mainland Greece was very frequent during this period, as well as travel to Macedonia. Plato spent a significant amount of time in Southern Italy and while the specifics of this journey were not known, it has been speculated that he visited Elea and perhaps Croton. Xenophon also participates in the campaign of Cyrus and subsequent march to the Black Sea, though this is not represented.

Conclusion:

Consistently we find that, while some cities—and Athens in particular—drew a great number of thinkers during various points of the Classical period, thinkers were coming from all corners of the Mediterranean and their travels were surprisingly varied. Generally, much of the activity seemed to move westward, although there were intellectuals still coming from and traveling to Asia Minor well into the Hellenistic age. It is also interesting to note that we have little evidence of these thinkers traveling to the festivals held at various sanctuaries, other than those at Athens