Greek 'cultural translation' of Chaldean learning
The investigation into the relationship between Greek and Babylonian systems of learning has overwhelmingly focused on determining the elements that the former borrowed from the latter, while the fundamental questions relating to the process of transmission of these elements are still largely ignored. This thesis, therefore, offers a preliminary theoretical framework within which the movement of ideas should be analysed. The framework is based on the understanding that all ideas from one culture, when they are to enter another thought and belief system, must be âtranslatedâ into the concepts and terminology prevalent in their new context. An approach is developed which exploits the concept of âcultural translationâ as put forward within various modern disciplines. The thesis examines how the âtranslatabilityâ of the material from the perspective of the receiving culture influences its inclusion into the new âhome repertoireâ and determines the changes it undergoes as part of this process. A number of case studies in astronomy, astrology and mathematics are presented to help explain what parts of âChaldean knowledgeâ were utilised by Greek and Hellenistic scholars, how these were interpreted
Oll, Moonika
PC Romance languages
Greek 'cultural translation' of Chaldean learning. The investigation into the relationship between Greek and Babylonian systems of learning has overwhelmingly focused on determining the elements that the former borrowed from the latter, while the fundamental questions relating to the process of transmission of these elements are still largely ignored. This thesis, therefore, offers a preliminary theoretical framework within which the movement of ideas should be analysed. The framework is based on the understanding that all ideas from one culture, when they are to enter another thought and belief system, must be âtranslatedâ into the concepts and terminology prevalent in their new context. An approach is developed which exploits the concept of âcultural translationâ as put forward within various modern disciplines. The thesis examines how the âtranslatabilityâ of the material from the perspective of the receiving culture influences its inclusion into the new âhome repertoireâ and determines the changes it undergoes as part of this process. A number of case studies in astronomy, astrology and mathematics are presented to help explain what parts of âChaldean knowledgeâ were utilised by Greek and Hellenistic scholars, how these were interpreted
greek cultural_translation learning investigation relationship greek system learn overwhelmingly focus determine element former borrow latter fundamental_question relate process transmission element still largely_ignore therefore_offer preliminary theoretical_framework within movement idea analyse framework base idea culture enter another think belief_system must translate concept terminology prevalent new context develop exploit concept cultural_translation put_forward within various modern discipline examines translatability material perspective culture influence inclusion new home repertoire determines change undergo part process number case_study astronomy astrology mathematics present help_explain part knowledge utilise greek hellenistic scholar interpret