Whispers From Antiquity
based on my reply to this blog post https://www.ecosophia.net/whispers-from-antiquity/ (John Michael Greer)
I have been thinking about history recently – I have used an esoteric frame from Plato and it seems to fit deep history. The frame is that (in descending order) there are nine “reality tunnels” or psychic types – Philosopher, Warrior, Statesman, Doctor, Priest, Poet, Farmer, Sophist, Tyrant - listed in descending order of who sees the broadest, or the most truth.
So the idea is that epochs can be defined by who was in charge ultimately in that culture – so in reverse order
Since 1600AD to the present day has been epoch of the Tyrant, Scientism, and the Joint-Stock Corporation as psychopath. The ruling vision is hard-nosed materialism ( atoms and the void)
600AD to 1400AD (high point around 12th century) – the epoch of the Sophist and Demagogue – think of the sophistry of the catholic church (selling places in heaven), its demagogy to whip up the crusades, and the relativism of nominalism of the Scholastics.
200BC to 400AD – the epoch of the Farmer and craftsman. This was the period of the Roman empire. The Roman demos was the power basis the empire as encapsulated in the symbols “SPQR”– ultimate authority comes from the people guided by the Senate. The entertainment of common people is that of the Coliseum and gladiatorial games – it is what WWE wrestling would be if the fans were actually able to get what they want!
800BC to 400BC – the epoch of the Poet – rule by stories – This is the period of “Classical Greece” - a high point of the arts never attain before or since. The poets in Classical Greece were on everyone’s lips and held authority (especially Homer). Solon was the poet who ruled Athens in the beginning of this period. The theatres were the public spaces were the real power was exercised. This is one reason Plato wrote dialogues (dramas) because they held authority (and so by this reasoning modern philosophers should try to get their ideas across via spreadsheet tables)
—-The bronze age collapse 1200BC———between all these epochs were periods of chaos and instability (and a lack of authority or order) however the bronze age collapse was the big one. Gone was the previous fresh feeling of positivity and lack of cynicism in the general culture, after this collapse the world was disenchanted and a basic negativity and pervading cynicism set in which continues and accelerates to this day!
1500BC to 1100BC – the epoch of the Priests – for example the New Kingdom in Egypt was dominated by Diviners and priests – in Thebes by the end of the period there were 90 000 priests there alone.
2000BC to 1800BC – the epoch of the Doctors – e,g the Middle kingdom of Egypt – the artwork shows the unique concern for the body during this period (the figures were muscly, buff :)) and we see the development of medicine in the records across the empires of the world
2500BC - 2000BC – the Epoch of the Statemen – the organisers – the development of practical maths – in the Old kingdom of Egypt they were able to organise the whole society to build the pyramids
9000BC – 2500BC – the Epoch of the Warrior kings – the age of the battle axe culture and indo-european invasions.
40000BC – 9000BC – the Epoch of the philosophers – the golden age – the age of the shell middens – where people had the time to really talk and philosophise about the deepest concepts and ideas for hours everyday on the beaches by fires with nearly free food from the sea (for example) – the age of geometry where people could navigate across lands using their geometry knowledge etc…
What is interesting is that each age thought they were improving in some way on the earlier age but in going one step forward they were usually taking two or three back. I think esoteric Plato could actually prove this but that is another story. In all case the ages are intersperse with dark ages where plenty of knowledge was lost!
Sorry for long post but hope it is interesting and suggestive and relevant to this discussion