Classics keep enduring in modern times

Retold for centuries, the story of Prometheus has evolved from a tale of power struggle into a symbol of revolution and enlightenment. In some interpretations, Prometheus, the Titan who stole fire from the gods, reflects tensions between migrants and locals.

Later, poets such as Percy Shelley (1792-1822) recast him as a tragic hero who defied authority.

That image resonated with Chinese intellectuals in the early 20th century, who invoked Prometheus as a metaphor for pioneering revolutionaries introducing Marxism to China.

"Mythological stories are an important focus of classical studies," says Huang Yue, a professor of comparative mythology at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications.

"Prometheus remains widely known because generation after generation has continued to tell his story. People have interpreted and shared it in different ways. That process is important because classics provide intellectual resources that can inspire modern people. This is the value of classical studies today."

Traditionally defined as the study, translation and interpretation of ancient Greek and Roman texts, classical studies have gained renewed momentum in recent years, particularly following the World Conference of Classics held in Beijing in 2024.

The event brought together more than 400 scholars from over 30 countries and regions to discuss the contemporary relevance and global significance of classical studies.

The second edition of the event is taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday in Athens, Greece.

He Fangying, director of the Research Center for Classical Civilization at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, says the field can be traced back to the Hellenistic Period, when philosophers from across regions that were once dominated by Alexander the Great reinterpreted ancient Greek works. As a formal discipline, however, it was established at the University of Goettingen in Germany in 1777.

"In the past, Western scholars didn't include the study of other ancient civilizations in their definition of 'classical studies'. For example, research on Mesopotamian, ancient Egyptian and Chinese classics was categorized under 'Oriental studies'," she says. "That reflected a perspective that viewed these cultures through a Western lens."

Today, however, the definition of classical studies has broadened, particularly among Chinese scholars.

Li Xinwei, director of the Chinese School of Classical Studies at Athens, says, "We believe that every ancient civilization has its own classical period, one that continues to exert a profound influence on its modern development …Therefore, the scope of classical studies should include the classical works of all civilizations."

The expanded definition raises a further question: Why do the classics still matter in the modern world? According to Huang, ancient texts offer wisdom that remains relevant to contemporary challenges.

"Throughout history, people have confronted many of the same issues — ecological crises, regional conflicts, or tensions between civilizations," Huang says.

"Can we learn from how earlier generations responded to these challenges? Classics provide the source code of a culture, or more precisely, the foundational elements of a nation's cultural identity."

He, director of the Research Center for Classical Civilization, adds that classical studies also offer a broader perspective on current affairs. Modern disciplines are increasingly specialized, often separating literature, history, philosophy, and politics into distinct fields. Classical studies, by contrast, help reveal the connections among them, providing a more panoramic understanding of the human experience.

Second World Conference of Classics