The event is part of the lecture series "Current Issues in Ancient Studies".

Abstract

The Problematic Greek Miracle

In this talk, Professor Reviel Netz discusses his forthcoming book from Cambridge University Press, "Why the Ancient Greeks Matter".

The idea of the "Greek Miracle" is appropriately problematic. It identifies an achievement of a particular human group and ascribes to it a universal value – which is potentially racist. Were the Greeks exceptional? And, if so, what follows? Conservative humanists still champion the cause of the Greek miracle – by claiming that there are abiding values embedded in the Greek legacy. The claim of this lecture is that this gets the historical reality upside down. The Greeks did start a significant and, I would argue, positive historical process – by failing to develop abiding values. Hence, the Greek legacy opened up an arena for an autonomous, conflict-based culture – which gives rise to both Science, as well as civil society. Even so: one should be clear that the Greeks precipitated this process but are no longer relevant to its future trajectory. We are post-miracle.

Following the lecture and discussion, we invite you to a drink. We ask you to register by 24 June at: sekretariat@berliner-antike-kolleg.org.