Bertman, Stephen

Describes what the author calls the eight pillars of ancient Greek wisdom, including humanism, the pursuit of excellence, the practice of moderation, self-knowledge, rationalism, restless curiosity, love of freedom, and individualism, and explains how to use them as guiding principles for living.

Provides information about various aspects of life in the past, highlighting notable events and achievements in ancient Mesopotamia, covering history, geography, society and government, religion and myth, language and literature, architecture, engineering, the arts, economy, trade, the military, and everyday affairs. Includes maps, drawings, and photographs.

The ancient Greeks had it all. They lived life to the fullest, loved unashamedly, listened to their heart's desires, and created one of the most advanced, culturally sophisticated societies ever known. Is all that now dead and buried? Or only for the professors to mull over? One classics scholar, the author, answers this resoundingly in The Eight Pillars of Greek Wisdom. He shows how to bring passion and excellence to the center of your daily life, as the ancient Greeks intended them to be. The lessons they learned that life is brief and fragile and time is too precious to waste; that we do not know who we are until we discover who we can be; that we cannot undertake our voyage through life alone; that there will be obstacles along the way, but the greatest obstacle is within led them to develop what the author describes as eight guiding principles of wisdom: Humanism; The Pursuit of Excellence; The Practice of Moderation; Self-Knowledge; Rationalism; Restless Curiosity; The Love of Freedom; Individualism. These eight pillars are explored in the book.

Provides information about various aspects of life in the past, highlighting notable events and achievements in ancient Mesopotamia, covering history, geography, society and government, religion and myth, language and literature, architecture, engineering, the arts, economy, trade, the military, and everyday affairs. Includes maps, drawings, and photographs.