Ancient tales aid our comprehension and survival amidst the apocalypse
The Center and the Periphery: Understanding the Shape of the World
The following is a transcript excerpt from episode 2 of Jonathan Pageau’s new series “End of the World.“ Now available on DailyWire+.
The ancient Greeks had an interesting understanding of their world and it is an understanding which actually reflects itself in every culture. It’s not unique to the Greeks. It is the image of the center moving to the periphery.
The Greeks believed that the city of Delphi held the key to their world. They revered the “Omphalos,” a sacred stone known as the ”belly button of the world.” This stone symbolized the center of their world, the unifying force that bound them together as Hellenes. Despite their conflicts, they shared a common language and worshiped the same gods.
As the Greeks ventured beyond their city, they encountered strangers who were still somewhat familiar. They formed relationships and engaged in trade. However, as they moved further away, they encountered people whose language was so foreign that it sounded like barking to them. These “Barbarians” were so different from the Greeks that they were considered outsiders.
WATCH: Episode 2 of “End of the World” with Jonathan Pageau
According to the Greek worldview, the further one traveled, the stranger things became. They encountered humans with dog heads, headless beings, or even humans with a head in their chest. The world seemed to move towards idiosyncrasy.
At the edge of the world, the Greeks believed there were the Amazons, a society where women were the warriors and men had little place. It was an upside-down reflection of their own culture.
Legends also spoke of Alexander the Great building a giant wall at the Caspian Gates to keep out the monstrous creatures of the world. These creatures were described as animal-human hybrids, engaging in taboo behaviors. They were seen as a threat to the world and had to be excluded.
According to the legend, when the world comes to an end, the Gates of Alexander will be broken, and the hordes of Gog and Magog will flood in, contributing to the destruction of the world.
These stories provide a dramatic illustration of the shape of a world. They show the relationship between power, civilization, control, and chaos. Similar patterns can even be found in the Bible.
In the book of Genesis, Adam and Eve were placed in a garden, a place of balance between nature and culture. When they transgressed, they were expelled from the garden and into the world. As the story progresses, faults increase, and civilization develops. The descendants of Cain build the first city, creating an inside-outside identity. They also mix with the “sons of God,” resulting in the emergence of hybrid creatures.
As civilization and confusion increase, everything eventually falls apart. The world is flooded, bringing an end to that era.
By examining the Greek and biblical stories, we gain insight into the shape of the world and the interplay between power, civilization, control, and chaos.
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Jonathan Pageau is a French Canadian icon carver, public speaker, and YouTuber exploring the symbolic patterns that underlie our experience of the world, how these patterns emerge and come together, manifesting in religion, art, and popular culture. He’s also the editor of the Orthodox Arts Journal and host of the Symbolic World blog and podcast.
In what ways can viewing those on the periphery as “other” hinder our ability to learn and grow as individuals and societies?
Ep the barbarians out. This wall was seen as a boundary between the civilized world and the chaotic periphery. It was a way of protecting and preserving the Greek way of life.
This understanding of the center and the periphery is not limited to the Greeks. We can see echoes of it in other cultures as well. In ancient Chinese cosmology, for example, the capital city was seen as the center of the world. The emperor ruled from the center, and the further one traveled away from the capital, the more distant and less civilized the land became.
Even in modern times, we can see this concept at work. Major cities like London, New York, and Tokyo are often seen as the centers of their respective countries or regions. They attract people, resources, and cultural influences from the periphery. These cities become the hubs of economic, political, and cultural activity, while the rural areas and smaller towns are considered the periphery.
Understanding the shape of the world in this way helps us make sense of the dynamics between the center and the periphery. It helps us understand why certain cities or regions hold more power and influence than others. It helps us understand why certain cultures or languages dominate while others are marginalized.
But it also reminds us of the importance of embracing diversity and celebrating the uniqueness of different cultures and perspectives. Just as the Greeks encountered the barbarians and saw them as strange and foreign, we too often view those on the periphery as “other” and outside of our own understanding. However, it is through these encounters and interactions that we can learn and grow as individuals and societies.
The center and the periphery are not fixed or static. They are constantly shifting and evolving. What was once the center may become the periphery, and vice versa. It is a reminder that no culture or perspective is inherently superior or inferior. Each has its own value and contribution to make to the world.
So, let us strive to understand and appreciate the shape of our world. Let us recognize the interconnectedness of cultures and the fluidity of the center and the periphery. And let us embrace the diversity and richness that arises from these encounters. For it is through these understandings that we can truly make progress towards a more inclusive and harmonious world.
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