The Greek Ideal — The Path of the Polymath, Part III

by Tristan Lefèvre

The Paradox in the Cave — Maneos & Paterkallos

— Continued from Part II —

“Rome seems a comfort to those with the ambitious Soul of an Artist or a Conqueror.” — Pietros Maneos

Maneos traveled and lived in Italy when younger. He wrote poetry, tuned his body to Nature, was optimistic, hoped one day to be like Gaius Maecenas, the Patron of the Arts.

Ambitious and meticulous, as tend to be all artists who write books of lasting merit, Maneos sought for the Greek ideal in all things. Like Odysseus who could throw a discus as far as he could tell a lie, Maneos had a gift for all the human arts. He was a natural. His life was aristocratic. Today, he writes from a schism. Like his character in TFA, he plays with money, invests in the capitalistic American pursuit that stripped Europe of its dignity over the last 20 years, and will destroy her now that she is weak; yet his fondness for a Europe where “one doesn’t have to be something, but can simply be” is telling of the complex and beautiful soul this polymath hides within him, covered only by a thin veil of verdis-gris from the US Mint. Just as diplomacy, an elegant profession that always commands and conceals a deathcount; the professions of merchant, investor, banker, and economist, are sweet careers that make fathers proud and mothers tingle; as they mist the eyes, unlatching thighs; moistening the crotches of eager future-bankers-wives; yet anything that promotes trade across our fallen kingdom, promotes barbarism and cruelty, and snuffs out the artist, destroying what little humans make of beauty. The polymath who invests and also writes verse, is both holy and monstrous. The Emperor Marcus Aurelius made up for his death-count by creating stoicism. I believe that it’s possible Maneos will make up for his degeneration to Capitalistic barbarism through the influence that TFA will have on future generations (if future generation are even to come). Yet it will take more than two readings of this monumental work of art and social criticism to know if its effect will be positive or not. My guess is yes and no. Beautiful writing — which is plentiful in Maneos’ book — makes me an optimist. Yet, pessimist where it concerns that ludicrous and laughable term, human progress, I say, “how could it possible make anything positive come of the muck we have made of things.” To know why I think that, you must read this masterpiece for yourself.”

The Fallen Aristocrats by Pietros Maneos is coming Winter 2019/2020 (Fiction, letters, social-criticism, philosophy, economic & political theory)