#james a. arieti

[aboutanancientenquiry]

“Springs of Western Civilization is a comparative exploration of the Hebraic and classical traditions that form our heritage. In examining these traditions before they united, James Arieti locates the catalyst for their bonding in two related circumstances: adoption by the biblical world of an eclectic mélange of Platonism, Aristotelianism, and Stoicism that, in the centuries on each side of the Common Era, produced consensus models both of God and of a warmhearted individual; and belief that the writings of Plato were literally true-a belief that arose from failing to understand his playful, metaphorical techniques of composition. Among the many effects of the mingling of biblical and philosophical values was a re-focusing of literature from the heroes of epic to the compassionate characters we recognize as Menschen.’

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lexington Books (15 July 2017)

Review

A prolific and versatile scholar, Arieti (classics, Hampden-Sydney College) here focuses his analytical lens on the parallel phenomena of the classical and biblical traditions that inform the basis of Western civilization. Using a binary comparative approach, Arieti anatomizes common themes in both biblical and classical literature, adducing a panoply of value-laden paradigms of experience--among them fratricide, talking animals, rainbows--characteristic of both the classical and Hebraic cultures to illustrate some fundamental differences between the two, for example rational calculation versus precipitate intuition. Addressing the literary and cultural evidence in the period from roughly 300 BCE to 300 CE, the author underscores the consistency of each tradition in asserting its basic value system and methodology and simultaneously generating and absorbing elements from the larger context of the Hellenistic philosophical and religious environment. Thus, rabbinical exegesis and commentary clearly reflect the influence of Hellenistic philosophical modalities. Citing differences as well as similarities, Arieti posits that a confluence of these traditions resulted in the emergence of a specific worldview incorporating the emergence of what is termed Mentshlekhkeyt--reflecting a humane kindness and a "heart aglow with love (to quote from chapter 6). Superbly documented and researched, this volume makes a significant contribution to interdisciplinary scholarship. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates; graduate students.-- "Choice" Arieti's well-documented text is dense and challenging. . . By dwelling on the author's examples and passionately pondering his conclusions, those of us engaged in the pursuit and transmission of the humanities can help fulfill an ancient prophet's prayer that someday justice will well up as waters/ And righteousness as a mighty stream (Amos 5:24).-- "The Classical Journal" The author is well aware that his ideas will not find acceptance everywhere, but presents them in a manner that succeeds in being both stimulating and irenic, and should give rise to further debate.-- "Journal for the Study of the Old Testament" In this masterful work, which is the product of a lifetime of extensive learning, James Alexander Arieti attempts to illuminate for his readers the differences between the ancient Greek world and the world of the Hebrew Bible (and later Jewish commentary on the biblical texts). The profoundly pluralistic society in which the West now lives has at its source the great river of culture produced when the streams of Greek and Hebrew thought and art flowed together. Arieti examines Greek and Hebrew attitudes towards all those things in which human life is enmeshed, from nature to politics, from family life to religion. And he shows not only the great differences between the Greek and Hebrew worldviews but also their diverse advantages as sources for a good human life and a just human community. The result is a deep and moving reflection on the nature of our civilization and the strengths and weaknesses of the cultures out of which it arose.--Eleonore Stump, Saint Louis University James Arieti in his Springs of Western Civilization has given us all a precious gift in this interdisciplinary study comparing the Hebrew Bible and classical Greek literature, the two foundations of Western civilization. With great erudition and insight and an inviting balance of breadth and depth, Arieti brilliantly analyzes parallel stories and teachings on dozens of topics in order to derive their respective philosophical and humanist worldviews. Students of the Bible and those versed in Greek culture will both experience meeting a long lost twin brother who is struggling through so many of the same existential issues and reaching conclusions often similar, sometimes at odds, but always mutually illuminating.--Rabbi Dr. Richard Hidary, Yeshiva University

Source: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Springs-Western-Culture-Comparative-Classical/dp/1498534791

James A. Arieti is Graves H. Thompson Professor of Classics at Hampden-Sydney College

Well, the project of this book seems fascinating and Pr. Arieti is for sure an excellent scholar. But of course I cannot say more specific things on this work before reading it.

[theagenes]

Of Lions, men and scorching stars - The bittersweet case of Sebastian Vettel 5/

On the importance of vision in Virgil's Aeneid.

"In Virgil as well as in Homer, Aeneas and Achilles, once in armour, cannot be peered at by mere mortals at the risk of being blinded. The vision of such "idols" forces the onlookers to cover their eyes, should they not wish to lose their sight - an imaginary inherited from a Lucretian tradition."

Shady astrology website / Arieti, James A. “Achilles’ Guilt.” The Classical Journal 80, no. 3 (1985) / Aeneid - Virgil / Mac Góráin, Fiachra. “THE POETICS OF VISION IN VIRGIL’S ‘AENEID.’” in: Classical Philology 109 / The Song of Achille - Madeline Miller / The Iliad - Homer / The Guardian (2013) / Karma - Taylor Swift / Aussie Grit - Mark Webber

[pluralzalpha]

Galactic Gazetteer: Lithia

Type: terrestrial/jungle planet

Primary: Alpha Arietis (Hamal)

Distance from Earth: 66 ly

Inhabitants: Lithians

Status: destroyed (2049)

Appearance: "A Case of Conscience" (James Blish, 1953/58)

Fun fact: the Lithians advance through all the stages of their evolution as they mature to adulthood, and inherit genetic memory from their parents.

Another fun fact: having no religion but reaching a peaceful, moral and enlightened society, they were viewed as a blasphemy by one Catholic priest who concluded Lithia must have been created by Satan.

Fun fact 3: Earth also decided to mine the hell out of Lithia for pegmatite.

[hetairoi]

"...we learn nothing of what Achilles is doing his silent, sullen withdrawal, except one thing: he passes his time with a lyre." James A. Arieti, 'Achilles' Alienation in "Iliad 9", The Classical Journal.

Sketch practice based off this Itaglio of Achilles. Sloooowly working my way around this tablet.

[nimiana]

The appeal is one of love, the one value left to Achilles in his meaningless world, a value embodied in his relationship with Patroclus.

James A. Arieti, Homer's Litae and Atê, The Classical Journal Vol. 84, No. 1 (Oct. - Nov., 1988)             

[aboutanancientenquiry]

“As scholars have observed and analyzed Herodotus's sophistication, the father of history has been recognized as a complex and profound moral historian. How would Herodotus's contemporaries have responded to his recounting of the past? And what enduring lessons does Herodotus have for us? James A. Arieti attempts to discover, as far as possible, Herodotus's purpose in writing, and reveals how in the History of the Persian Wars Herodotus shapes his narrative in order to advise the troubled Greek world of his day. Arieti's reading is an interpretive study, exploring the philosophical, literary, and historical richness of the history―in short, examining why it is a classic. Discourses on the First Book of Herodotus is an important work for historians, classicists, and philosophers.”

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Rowman & Littlefield (1 July 1995)

James A. Arieti is Graves Thompson Professor of Classics at Hampden-Sydney College. His previous books include Interpreting Plato: The Dialogue as Drama (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers) and a translation and commentary on Longinus's On the Sublime.

Unfortunately it seems that this very interesting book of Pr. Arieti on Herodotus is currently unavailable. But of course it can be found in libraries, especially those of department of Classics.

[theagenes]

Of Gods and celestial stars - The bittersweet case of Sebastian Vettel 4/

Sebastian is an honorific : it is a title worn by Emperors — it means "one who is revered, venerated."

"Yet each man kills the things he loves"

Les Mémoires d'Hadrien - Marguerite Yourcenar / Liddell and Scott Greek-English lexicon / Arieti, James A. “Achilles’ Guilt.” The Classical Journal 80, no. 3 (1985) / The Guardian (2013) / Gospel 28:17 - Ezekiel / The Prophet - Khalil Gibran.