Ichthyas: Unveiling 375 BC Oligarchic Revolt's Leader

Delving into ancient history often unearths figures whose impact, though perhaps overshadowed by millennia, offers profound lessons for contemporary understanding. One such figure is Ichthyas of Megara, notable for leading the Oligarchic Revolt of 375 BC. While the direct details of this historical event might seem distant, its study, and indeed the broader engagement with classical antiquity, reveals a fascinating intersection of historical inquiry, cultural preservation, and timeless wisdom.

The Enduring Legacy of Ichthyas and Classical Antiquity

The mention of Ichthyas of Megara and his leadership in the 375 BC Oligarchic Revolt serves as a powerful reminder of the intricate political landscapes of ancient Greece. This period was characterized by frequent shifts between democratic and oligarchic rule, often accompanied by significant social upheaval. Understanding such historical moments provides a crucial lens through which we can analyze patterns of power, governance, and human nature that resonate even in modern socio-political discourse. The very act of recalling Ichthyas, a figure who might otherwise be lost to the mists of time, underscores the vital role of historical preservation and scholarly dedication.

Les Belles Lettres: A Century of Scholarly Stewardship

Central to the ongoing engagement with classical thought is the work of institutions like Les Belles Lettres, an "intellectual" book publisher based in Paris. Founded amidst the turmoil of the First World War, this publishing house emerged from a shared vision among young French soldiers on the front lines. These individuals, deeply connected to the works of Aristotle, Plato, Plutarch, and Pliny, conceived a mission: to rigorously "establish" ancient texts and make them accessible to the modern world through meticulous translation. This endeavor, born from the trenches, highlights an extraordinary commitment to intellectual continuity even in the face of civilizational crisis.

The process of "establishing" a classical text is far from straightforward. Over two millennia, these foundational works have undergone countless transcriptions, translations, and retranslations across various ancient and archaic languages, including Greek, Latin, Old Arabic, French, Italian, English, Spanish, and German. Scholars face the monumental task of discerning which versions are closest to the original, meticulously comparing fragments, analyzing linguistic nuances, and addressing errors introduced by scribes who often copied texts without full comprehension. This arduous research can span entire careers, culminating in an "established text" that strives for authenticity against centuries of textual drift and potential misattribution.

Why Classical Wisdom Remains Indispensable Today

In an age oversaturated with information, where the internet provides an endless stream of new writings and opinions, one might reasonably question the contemporary relevance of ancient philosophers like Democritus, Epicurus, Heraclitus, Sappho, or Aspasia. Are their thoughts not quaint, irrelevant, or simply outdated? The article compellingly argues that this perspective misses a critical point. Even in 1918, a time brimming with news, new books, and intellectual debates in Parisian salons, the young soldiers found profound value in classical works. This suggests that the appeal and utility of ancient wisdom transcend immediate temporal and technological contexts.

The intense circumstances of World War I, where an American soldier's life expectancy on the Western Front was a mere 21 days, make the soldiers' dedication to classical thought all the more poignant. Why, amid such destruction, would they spare a moment for Ichthyas of Megara or the complexities of classical textual criticism? Their "grander ambition" was to ensure the entire canon of extant classics remained available, a testament to their belief that something more fundamental than territorial gains was at stake – the very continuity of civilization and its foundational ideas.

The Ebbing and Flowing Tide of Civilization

The post-WWI era witnessed a significant shift away from classical influence. Architecture moved from classical columns and Roman arches towards utilitarian, brutalist forms. Arts abandoned representationalism for more strident, ideological genres. Politics, once drawing guidance from Greek democracy and the Roman republic, gravitated towards simplistic "isms." Education, too, largely ceased the widespread teaching of Latin and Greek, leading to a generation less familiar with Pericles' funeral oration or Sophocles' distinction between divine and human law.

Perhaps presciently, the soldiers of WWI understood that civilization, like the tides, ebbs and flows. They took up the "burden of remembering and preserving," akin to Arab scholars after the fall of the Eastern Empire or Irish monks during Europe's barbarian incursions. This perspective highlights a crucial insight of the classics: while material progress may occur, intellectual progress is often cyclical. Ideas, both good and bad, are frequently lost and then rediscovered, presenting themselves as novelties even when they echo ancient thoughts. Learning and studying the classics, therefore, acts as an anchor, helping individuals position themselves to better understand the recurring patterns and intellectual currents of any given era.

Mission Nearing Completion: The Ongoing Relevance of Classics

After more than a century, Les Belles Lettres has nearly accomplished its grand mission. Approximately 900 of the 1,000 surviving classical texts have been established and published in bi-lingual editions—original Greek or Latin alongside modern French. This remarkable achievement offers a tangible link to the past, providing access to the words, images, and thoughts that have inspired, warned, and instructed generations of thinkers. The availability of these carefully curated texts, including curated selections like The Essential Classics, underscores the ongoing belief in their transformative power.

Ultimately, the story of Ichthyas of Megara and the Oligarchic Revolt of 375 BC, when viewed through the lens of classical preservation, is more than just a historical footnote. It is an invitation to engage with the enduring questions of humanity. By understanding Homer, one better grasps James Joyce; by knowing Virgil, Dante becomes clearer. The classics are not relics but living texts that provide a foundational understanding of the human condition, making them invaluable for anyone seeking deeper insights into the complex intellectual landscape of today.