John Gaskin (2) (1936–)

I guess one expects from the title of this book that it will basically be about different cities (like Athens), and the philosophers who lived there. In fact, there is some of this in Part III which is a Gazetteer to cities and citizens. But the bulk of the book is really a, roughly historical, account of the classical philosophers who flourished during the period 750 BC to 400AD. And, it is rather well done. He also has a useful overview at the start (Section I) which covers the main historical periods such as the "Classical age: Persian Wars , Athens and Sparta, 547 BC to 334 BC. Yes, it's a snapshot. What else can one do with such a sweeping subject in a short book.....but he does manage to focus on the advances in thinking or the (still unresolved) paradoxes raised by the ancient philosophers and put them into both a historical context but also a geographic context. His maps are quite useful in this regard. One thing which he has done exceptionally well, I think, is to bring out the differences between the open, questioning, and rather tolerant approach of the pagans (and this is an inevitably coloured word in our language these days) to the dogmatic, intolerant, and anti-scientific Christianity which replaced it around 400 AD. I've been reading a biography of St Augustine and have been fascinated at the role he played in bringing about this dogmatic, faith-based religion. (Which arguably resulted, more than anything else, in the European dark ages). This is a book that is probably worth reading again ...and I may add to this review after doing that.… (mehr)