My studies into European Philosophy and Scholarship conclude, that they became civilized because of the knowledge they appropriated from their pillaging adventures. Take England for example. The English were somewhat of a barbaric and nomadic people. They only ‘developed' because of the Norse and Roman conquests, and they developed because of their conquests of plunder and pillage. The English later became refined after the French conquests and relationships. The idea that ancient Greek and Roman scholars drew from and appropriated the knowledge and wisdom of older civilizations is well-founded in modern scholarship. While somewhat dramatic, the assertion that the Greeks and Romans “stole the " knowledge from others, aligns with the reality that many aspects of their intellectual traditions were heavily influenced by earlier civilizations such as Africa (often read as Egyptian), Mesopotamia, India, China and Central and, S. America. Allow me to break down the case for this claim and provide reasonable evidence to support it.
1). Greek Appropriation of African and Mesopotamian Knowledge.
The Greeks are often lauded as founders of Western philosophy and science. However, the Greeks were deeply influenced by African and Mesopotamian thought, as well as by other cultures whom they encountered during their extensive trade and military campaigns.
Mathematics and Astronomy.
Many Greek mathematicians, such as Pythagoras, are believed to have studied in Egypt. The Pythagorean theorem itself, while attributed to Pythagoras, was known to the Babylonians at least a thousand years earlier. Greek mathematicians borrowed from Egypt’s Rhind Mathematical Papyrus (1650 BC), which contained advanced algebraic and geometric knowledge. Thales and others who travelled to Egypt absorbed their knowledge of geometry and astronomy.
Medicine and Anatomy.
Hippocrates, often called the "Father of Medicine," was influenced by Egyptian medical practices. The Ebers Papyrus (1550 BC) from Egypt contains extensive knowledge of medicinal herbs, surgery, and anatomy, much of which predated Greek medical advancements. Many treatments Hippocrates suggested were known to Egyptian doctors centuries before.
Philosophy and Theology.
Greek philosophers like Plato and Pythagoras are said to have travelled to Egypt for education. Herodotus, often called the "Father of History," acknowledged that much of Greek culture, especially religious and philosophical ideas, originated in Egypt. The Eleusinian Mysteries of Greece, with their esoteric and spiritual focus, are also seen as being inspired by the older Egyptian Mysteries of Isis and Osiris, which dealt with life, death, and rebirth. Talking about Theology, the Ten Commandments of Judaism and Christianity are believed to have originated from the Forty-two Principles of Maat which was from 2,000 years earlier.
2). Roman Appropriation of Greek and Other Knowledge.
The Romans, known for their engineering and legal systems, were less original thinkers and more pragmatic borrowers. They absorbed and adapted Greek intellectual traditions after the conquest of Greece.
Roman Philosophy and Science.
Roman scholars such as Cicero and Seneca adopted Greek philosophies, particularly Stoicism and Epicureanism. Roman law, too, was influenced by Greek legal principles including ancient Near Eastern codes like the Code of Hammurabi from Mesopotamia. The famed Roman medical doctor Galen heavily borrowed from earlier Greek, Egyptian, and Indian traditions.
3). Indian Influence on Greek Philosophy.
There is increasing recognition of the Indo-Greek connection in ancient philosophy and mathematics. I have spent countless days, investigating these influences of Indian knowledge and practices including customs and theology on Mesopotamian, Greek and Egyptian regions including parts of Africa. After Alexander the Great’s conquest of India in 326 BCE, a significant exchange of ideas occurred between Indian sages and Greek philosophers. Trade of silk and spices among other goods, further contributed to the development of scholarship.
Mathematics and Astronomy.
Greek scholars learned from Indian mathematicians who had already developed sophisticated systems of numeration, including the concept of zero and the decimal systems, which would later revolutionize mathematics. The early development of trigonometry and astronomical calculations can also be traced to Indian mathematicians, whose works influenced Greek and later Islamic scholars. The Islamic Golden Age was a significant development attributed to Indian and other Eastern and African influences.
Philosophy.
The idea of the immortal soul and aspects of metaphysics present in Plato’s works have significant connections to Vedic and Upanishadic thought. Some argue that early Greek metaphysical speculations, such as those of Pythagoras, reflect Indian influence, with the notion of reincarnation and the immortality of the soul.
4). Chinese Contributions and Western Knowledge.
Though Chinese civilization remained mainly isolated, there exists evidence for the exchange of knowledge, particularly through trade routes such as the Silk Road.
Medicine and Botany.
Roman scholars gained access to Chinese medicinal herbs and botanical knowledge via trade, and much of their pharmacology is considered to have been influenced by the vast empirical herbal knowledge of China.
Technology and Engineering.
Chinese innovations like paper, gunpowder, and compass technology eventually made their way to the West, impacting European progress during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and these began circulating during the Roman period. The famous Antikythera Mechanism, an ancient Greek analog computer bears influences that may trace back to earlier Chinese mechanical designs.
5). South and Central American Knowledge
Though the Greeks and Romans are not known to have direct contact with the ancient civilizations of the Americas, it's important to note that these cultures independently developed advanced knowledge systems.
Mathematics and Astronomy.
The Mayan and Incan civilizations were particularly advanced in mathematics, developing highly accurate astronomical calendars, which tracked celestial movements with greater precision than contemporary European systems of the time. Their understanding of zero and their calendrical systems rivalled and even surpassed many early European achievements.
Colonial Historiography and Intellectual Theft.
Part of why Greek and Roman achievements were so heavily celebrated is that European colonial powers emphasized the greatness of these civilizations to reinforce their narratives of superiority. This led to a suppression of the contributions of other cultures and continues to this day.
The 19th-century view of “classical civilizations" being the originators of all knowledge fit with colonial narratives of European dominance. The erasure or downplaying of African, Indian, and other contributions was and is part of a broader strategy of intellectual colonization.
Conclusion
While ancient Greece and Rome contributed significantly to Western knowledge, their intellectual advancements were not developed in isolation. They absorbed and appropriated the wisdom of older civilizations from Africa(Egypt), Mesopotamia, India, and beyond. Much of what the Greeks and Romans are credited for, from philosophy to mathematics, to medicine and engineering, originated elsewhere. These interconnections illustrate the global nature of intellectual progress and highlight the importance of recognizing the contributions of often overlooked civilizations.
I leave you with this final thought. The term ‘Civilization,' is often misused. This term does not guarantee morally civilized behaviour, as societal growth and ethical progress do not always align. For some decades, people from around the globe have sought to further their academic scholarship in England and Europe. Such has been the ‘Western’ influence, they have exerted on the world.
The Gentile!
Pertinent References:
1. Martin Bernal in Black Athena: The Afroasiatic Roots of Classical Civilization, argues for the Afroasiatic roots of Greek civilization, particularly the influence of Egypt and the Levant.
2. George G. M. James in Stolen Legacy, asserts that much of Greek philosophy, particularly Platonic thought, was borrowed from Egyptian sources.
3. Joseph Needham's multi-volume series Science and Civilization in China provides extensive evidence of Chinese innovations and their influence on the West.
4. J.G. Hawthorne & C.S. Smith (1979) Theophilus, On Divers Arts, discusses the transfer of knowledge from the Middle East to the West during the Middle Ages, which began under Roman rule.
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