“Athens was the first truly modern society, ruled not by kings or priests or nobles but by a sovereign democratic Assembly. The Athenians had to wrestle with the same polarities that confront the democratic nations of the modern world. Like us, they were caught up in conflicts that pitted West against East, liberal against conservative, and scientific inquiry against religious faith. They too confronted insoluble political paradoxes. The same navy that made Athens a democracy at home made it an imperialistic power abroad and at times an oppressor of the very cities that it had helped to liberate from the Persians. The Golden Age was funded in part by payments of tribute that Athens demanded of its maritime subjects and allies. As for the Parthenon, that iconic ruin in pure white marble makes today’s world imagine a serene ancient Athens of lofty visions and classical balance. In fact, at the time of its building the Parthenon was a bitterly controversial project, paid for in part with what Pericles’ opponents considered to be misappropriated naval funds.
Time and winter rains have washed the original gaudy colors of scarlet, azure, and gold off the Parthenon. Passing centuries have also washed the blood and guts, sweat and struggle, from the modern conception of Athens. In losing sight of the Athenian navy, posterity has overlooked the vital propulsive force behind the monuments. A living sea creature, all muscle and appetite and growth, generated the glistening shell of inspiring art, literature, and political ideals. Today we admire the shell for its own beauty, but it cannot be fully understood without charting the life cycle of the animal that generated it. The beat of oars was the heartbeat of Athens in the city’s Golden Age. This, then, is the story of a unique and gigantic marine organism, the Athenian navy, that built a civilization, empowered the world’s first great democracy, and led a band of ordinary citizens into new worlds. Their epic voyage altered the course of history.”
~ John R. Hale from Lords of the Sea
I’m typing this less than a week after returning from our Heroic trip to Athens where we trained our third cohort of Heroic Workshop Instructors and toured the ancient ruins of the Acropolis with nearly 200 members of our community and their families. It was a very special week.
During the trip, I met a new friend. That new friend happens to be an officer in the U.S. Navy. He recommended this book. I immediately got it. I read it a few days after getting home. It’s FANTASTIC. And, here we are.
As per the sub-title, this book tells “The Epic Story of the Athenian Navy and the Birth of Democracy.” More specifically, it tells us how we have the Athenian navy to thank for not only the birth of democracy but for the Golden Age of Athens that produced those ancient ruins of the Acropolis AND the cultural contributions in architecture, the arts AND philosophy.
As per his bio, John R. Hale studied at Yale and Cambridge universities before embarking on an archeological career that has included extensive underwater searches for ancient warships. He has written for a number of prestigious journals and has been featured in documentaries on the Discovery and History channels.
It’s hard to capture the essence of the book better than Donald Kagan, another renowned historian: “Nobody knows more about the history of oared ships around the world than John Hale, and he combines it with a knowledge of and love for the ancient Athenians that helps explain their achievement. The writing is utterly captivating and makes the reader feel he is back in Athens among the great poets, historians, sculptors, architects, soldiers and sailors, all of whom were connected in important ways to the Athenian navy.”
The book is packed with fascinating historical stories and Big Ideas. I’m excited to share some of my favorites so let’s jump straight in!
P.S. Here’s another important data point regarding the timing of this Note: I’m creating this precisely 10 days after the 2024 election. After reading Nexus and The Chaos Machine in the weeks preceding the election (which provide a powerful perspective on the underlying, invisible dynamics currently driving our culture), I figured going back in time 2,500 years would be a great way to orient myself to the challenges all great civilizations have faced.
P.P.S. Want to join us at one of our upcoming Heroic events? Learn more here!
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