Eight Pillars of Greek Wisdom: What You Can Learn from Classical Myth and History

by Stephen Bertman

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, Dr. Stephen Bertman, 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 Bertman 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. Each is illuminated through vivid examples drawn from the rich heritage of classical history and mythology, including tales of gods and goddess, heroes and heroines, adventure and exploration, and self-discovery and personal triumph.

Genres: Philosophy, History, Mythology, Nonfiction

231 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Stephen Bertman received his doctorate in Greek and Latin Literature from Columbia University, and holds additional degrees in Classics from New York University and in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies from Brandeis. Dr. Bertman has published extensively in the field of ancient Mediterranean civilization. In addition to articles and chapters on Classical and Near Eastern history and though, his books include Art and the Romans, Doorways through Time: The Romance of Archaeology and the Handbook to Life in Ancient Mesopotamia. He has also explored the callenges of contemporary civilization in Hyperculture: The Human Cost of Speed and Cultural Amnesia: America's Future and the Crisis of Memory.

As a teacher, writer, educational consultant, and public speaker, Dr. Bertman has dedicated his life to bridging the world of past and present. Stephen Bertman lives with his wife, Elaine, in West Bloomfield, Michigan.

(Taken from The Eight Pillars of Greek Wisdom)

Reviews

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best and most important books that I have ever read. Full stop. Period. It is about the gifts of Greek civilization, often explored through mythological and literary tales, to Western civilization. And it actually explains this well. This book so closely reflects my own views on Western humanism that I was forced to revise all the notes to my hope-for-some-day book on humanism in the wake of having read it.

Read this. Seriously.

[Steve Rangoussis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most famous monument of ancient Greece was the Parthenon, erected at the apex of the Acropolis over 2500 years ago. Each of the eight columns that support the Parthenon's entrance stood for eight ideological pillars:
1. Humanism
2. The Pursuit of Excellence
3. The Practice of Modernity
4. Self-Knowledge
5. Rationalism
6. Restless Curiosity
7. The Love of Freedom
8. Individualism

An easy and inspiring read recommended for everyone especially Greeks of today who have obviously forgotten about the eight pillars that once made Greece great.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book that uses classic Greek stories and myths to describe the core values that drove ancient Greek cultural excellence.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book taught me a few tidbits I didn’t know, had a few quotes I liked, and restated a few common questions/phrases in interesting ways. Other than that, however, I was often left wanting from the author’s, sometimes edited, retelling of Greek myth to further his points.

I didn’t appreciate his changes or interpretations of certain stories, for instance the author misrepresents Odysseus and Calypso’s island relationship, as well as Achilles’ “choice” of an obscure long life or a grand short one. The author says Achilles chose a short one because he represents the Greek ideal of trying to reach the greatest potential, but Achilles chose a long one in the book and only betrayed that choice once he was thrown into grief, rage, and fury from Patroclus being killed.

The book also often read like an English teacher reaching for meaning in things to support whatever point they’re trying to make.

[Barbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked it so much I am re-reading , which I don't often do.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A self help book using Greek Myths and their lesson as a tool to improve your life. Very interesting.

[row row · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a nanny for someone's family, and the first time I saw this book was on the bookshelf in the house I work in. I've loved Greek Myths and Ancient Greek culture and history practically my whole life, so I wanted to read this book immediately. Eventually I got my hands on my own copy. For all the classes I've taken and all the research I've done on the Greeks, I don't believe (or at least I don't remember) I've ever learned about the eight pillars of wisdom. So this was an enlightening read for me, and it just made it even more clear that every part of our life and our society is guided by the ancient principles of the Greeks. Everything we know, everything that exists in this world today, can be traced back to the Ancient Greeks somehow, and I'm so in love with their everlasting impact. I really enjoyed learning about the eight pillars of wisdom, interspersed with all the Greek Myths I'm familiar with to provide examples of each pillar, and I loved Stephen Bertman's writing and the way he outlined this book. There are some great lines in here that are worth writing down.

[K.A. Masters · Rating 2 out of 5]

Odd mishmash of stories of Greek, Roman, and Judeo-Christian mythology. No cohesive viewpoint. The author picks and chooses ideas from various tenets of conflicting sects of Greek philosophy. A better book would be an actual overview of Greek philosophy.

[Rick Folker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should be required reading for all students before receiving their diploma. Its a fun book. I highly recommend it.

[Patricia Vandigriff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and helpful for understanding the influence of Greek Culture on today's society.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most informed books I have ever read on Greek Mythology that still remains readable throughout.

[Alice Eberhart-wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

A different type of read for me. As I age, my mind craves new variety. I never used to be interested in mythology or ancient civilizations but this fits with the type of reflection I like at this point in life. I wrote down the 8 pillars so I will remember them. And I love the beginning and ending quotations from Thoreau, one of my heroes.

[Elizabeth]

Very good book on wisdom and how to understand the greeks. It is a great explanation of being human what life is and how to moderate.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author has an unusual pedigree, but the book presents some good background as I prepare to teach Oedipus and Antigone!

[Valerie Haro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love his use of language. Not difficult to understand.

[Evangelos · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was very good and insightful!! I thought that I learned a lot and will always think "these" types of ways in the future. read this book :)

[Walker Wright · Rating 2 out of 5]

**1/2