Classic and Hellenistic Greece

Abstract

The article is devoted to the role of the classic heritage in the formation of the culture of the Early Modern Period. Opening the series of articles «On the Crossroads of European Culture», the present publication investigates the influence made by the Classic Greek cultural archetype and Hellenistic tradition on the formation of modern philosophy of culture. Their impact was ambivalent because of the fact that the archetype (Logos) was based on reason and the interest for the logical constructing of cosmic models while the cultural tradition was grounded on the interest of studying nature as the basis of universal and human existence and the search for the best way to a happy life independent of the will of gods. And that gave an anthropological shade to the whole culturological process.