Ebook: Early Greek Philosophy and the Orient

A brilliant and lucidly argued case for the influence of oriental thought and religion on Greek philosophy. Written in 1971, this book prepared the ground for subsequent studies of the relationships between ancient Greece and her neighbors.

Early sections discuss mythical cosmogonies of Pherecydes, Anaximander, and Anaximenes. Next, two long chapters of West's (re)interpretations of Heraclitus before a chapter on his possible Persian influences. The last chapter gives a survey the other 'Pre-Socratics' and their possible influences.

Overall, the work gives fascinating parallels to Iranian and Indian sayings and reads like a comparative philosophy. Speculations are made on direct influences, although the scant source material makes West's attempts valiant. Certainly worth a cursory read if at all interested on the influences and origins of 'Greek' thought.

West's skill and sensitivity as a translator and interpreter is impressive, his command of such a variety of ancient languages and texts just plain intimidating. But he writes clearly and makes his points in a way accessible to students and non-specialists (though there is a fair amount of untranslated Greek, as was the custom a few decades ago).

Anyone interested in Presocratic philosophy needs to read this book--and not just for West's arguments for eastern influence, but also for his valuable and intelligent commentary on the texts themselves. West's study will also be of great interest to students of ancient cultural exchange and the history of ideas and religion.

This book was written at a time when many in academe still held to a fiction of ancient Greece as a self-created world sealed off from "foreign" influences. Perhaps a final relic of the colonial mentality, who knows, but something that had to be demolished. West's book was badly needed--a breath of fresh air and a foundation for much important work in the years to come. Its staying power is testament to the quality of his work. The fact that it's still an exciting and powerful read is testament to his genius.

Martin Litchfield West was an Emeritus Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford. His many publications include Ancient Greek Music (OUP, 1992), The East Face of Helicon (OUP, 1997), and Indo-European Poetry and Myth (OUP, 2007).