Recently my daughter, a sophomore in high school, asked me a question regarding her current studies of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. I got my “wise fool” (the literal meaning of “sophomore”) in the car and drove to the Getty Museum in Malibu.
Upon arrival, she could instantly see why these two cultures were important. Viewing the Roman Villa which houses the Getty’s opulent Greek and Roman antiquities, her understanding of the ancient Roman philosopher Cicero crystallized when he said, "The enemy is within the gates; it is with our own luxury, our own folly, our own criminality that we have to contend." Rome, the strongest world power in its time imploded. Third world gangs knocked it over easily ushering in the Dark Ages.
The Getty collection adds insight into human nature as well as history. The museum's vast array of sculpture depicting ancient Greek gods shows how polytheism profoundly influenced the Greek philosophers. Greeks made Gods out of every emotion, passion, and natural element and surrendered their lives to them. Individual’s lives were directed by the god’s perceived favor or disfavor. This personal chaos caused the philosopher Aristotle to backlash by reasoning, "Happiness depends upon ourselves."
These treasures not only make history come alive, they help us understand ourselves. Socrates said, "An unexamined life is not worth living." Visiting the Getty gives time, space and beautiful surroundings to pause and examine life. Realizing we are part of a continuum of history and not an island unto ourselves can readjust our motives, thoughts, goals, and understanding of our world.
This knowledge is in our own back yard and can help connect the dots visually between ancient history, ancient thinking, and our present time. We can easily help our children connect those dots by visiting the Getty in Malibu, and hopefully help our children become more “wise” then “fool”.
