The Everlasting Man · Chapter
III: The Antiquity of Civilisation explained
This chapter examines the vast antiquity of civilisation, arguing that the earliest recorded societies—Babylon and Egypt—were already highly developed, challenging modern assumptions about primitive human progress.
What happens
This chapter examines the vast antiquity of civilisation, arguing that the earliest recorded societies—Babylon and Egypt—were already highly developed, challenging modern assumptions about primitive human progress. It contrasts the continuous historical tradition of the Mediterranean with the broken or alien traditions of China and the Americas, and highlights the Mediterranean as the central stage of civilised history, where diverse cultures converged. The chapter also reflects on the Homeric epics, particularly the Iliad, as a foundational poetic tradition that elevates the vanquished hero and foreshadows the chivalric ideal, and notes the legendary founding of Rome by Trojan refugees as a symbol of republican virtue.
Themes in this chapter
Historical Continuity and Renewal
The chapter emphasises the continuous historical inheritance from ancient Egypt and Babylon to modern Europe, contrasting it with broken traditions elsewhere, and highlights the Mediterranean as a unifying cultural basin.
Imagination and Myth as Truth
The discussion of the Iliad and the legend of Troy's fall illustrates how myth and poetry convey enduring truths about human experience, defeat, and chivalry.
Critique of Rationalism and Materialism
The chapter critiques modern assumptions about primitive man and evolutionary progress, arguing that early civilisations were already highly developed and that modern savages are not identical to primitive humans.
Characters to notice
- Unknown
The narrator reflects on the antiquity of civilisation, the Mediterranean tradition, and the significance of the Homeric epics.
- Hector
Hector is presented as the vanquished Trojan hero whose name grows greater over time, symbolising the chivalric ideal and the survival through defeat.
- Achilles
Achilles is mentioned as a demigod in pagan times who later disappears, contrasting with Hector's enduring legacy.
- Alexander the Great
Alexander is referenced as the Greek who marched into the sunrise, linking to the expansion of Mediterranean influence.
- Herodotus
Herodotus is cited as a human figure bridging the gap between ancient Egypt/Babylon and modern Europe through tradition.
- David
David is mentioned as a biblical figure whose sins are part of a shared human inheritance, illustrating the continuity of tradition.
- Isaiah
Isaiah is referenced alongside David as a figure whose experiences are accessible through continuous historical tradition.
- Li Hung Chang
Li Hung Chang is used as an example of the alien quality of Chinese tradition, contrasting with the familiarity of Mediterranean heritage.
Key passages
“The dawn of history reveals a humanity already civilised. Perhaps it reveals a civilisation already old.”
The earliest historical records show that humanity was already civilised, and that civilisation may have been ancient even then.
This challenges the modern notion of primitive human origins.
“If we want to get rid of half the nonsense about nomads and cavemen and the old man of the forest, we need only look steadily at the two solid and stupendous facts called Egypt and Babylon.”
To dispel many false ideas about primitive life, one need only examine the undeniable achievements of ancient Egypt and Babylon.
The author uses Egypt and Babylon as counterexamples to modern evolutionary assumptions.
“The most beautiful poem in the world was written by somebody who knew of nothing larger than such little towns is a historical fact.”
It is a historical fact that the world's most beautiful poem was composed by someone familiar only with small city-states.
This refers to the Homeric epics and their origin in small Greek city-states.
“The tale of the end of Troy shall have no ending; for it is lifted up forever into living echoes, immortal as our hopelessness and our hope.”
The story of Troy's fall is eternal, resonating through time as a symbol of both despair and hope.
The author emphasises the enduring power of the Trojan myth.
