Ancient Greek cosmogony / Andrew Gregory.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gregory, Andrew, 1960-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Cosmogony, Greek.

Philosophy, Ancient.

Philosophy and science--Greece--History--To 1500.

Philosophy and science.

History.

Greece.

Physical Description:

xii, 314 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

London : Duckworth, 2007.

Summary:

"Ancient Greek Cosmogony" is the first detailed and comprehensive account of ancient Greek theories of the origins of the world. It covers the period from 800 BC to 600 AD, beginning with myths concerning the creation of the world. The main part of the book deals with Greek theories of how the cosmos came into being. These divide into four broad types: the designed unique cosmos (archetypically, Plato), the multiplicity of accidental worlds (the atomists), the cyclical cosmogonies of Empedocles, and the Stoics and the anti-cosmogony ideas of Parmenides and Aristotle. The final part of the book deals with the debate between Greek philosophy and early Christianity. It is argued that the Greeks first formulated many of the perennial problems of cosmogony, and also formulated many of the possible types of solution.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 283-300) and indexes.

ISBN:

9780715634776

0715634771

OCLC:

153556473