Historical Studies (Chinese Edition)

No.1, 2015

 

A New Image of the Classical World of the Fourth Century B.C., As Presented by The Cambridge Ancient History, Volume 6     

(Abstract)

 

Yan Shaoxiang

 

In this discussion focusing on The Cambridge Ancient History (CAH), vol. 6, 2nd ed., we attempt to show recent trends in historiography dealing with the classical world in the fourth century B.C. which are mainly reflected in three fields: the reconstruction of the history of the Greek world in the fourth century B.C.; the deconstruction of the decline of the Persian Empire; and a new evaluation of Alexander the Great of Macedon. According to CAH, the Greek world in the fourth century B.C., far from being in decay, witnessed great revolutions in politics, technology and culture. The Persian Empire was still dynamic, and was among the most important powers in the eastern Mediterranean region. Its flexible ruling tactics and, in relative terms, respect for the regions it had conquered, were a double-edged sword; they maintained the stability of the empire on the one hand, but were not equal to fending off Macedon’s fierce attacks on the other. The rise of Macedon was largely due to Greek progress in a number of fields and to the state’s own development. Therefore, we need to see the achievements of Philip and Alexander against the general background of the historical circumstances of Macedon and the Greek world. This new portrayal of the classical world of the fourth century B.C. reflects new thinking in Western scholarship of the last fifty years; its successes and failures merit the attention of Chinese historians.