The Fortunes Of An Ancient Greek Idea: Onassis In Hellenic Culture

Throughout history, numerous individuals have left an indelible mark on the world. Some were renowned leaders, others were influential thinkers, and then there were those whose wealth and power became legendary. One such figure who straddled all these categories was Aristotle Onassis, a name that resonates even today in the annals of history. Born in Smyrna, a bustling port city in the early 20th century Ottoman Empire, his rise to prominence was nothing short of remarkable. This article delves into the life and legacy of Aristotle Onassis and examines his impact on Hellenic culture.

The Early Years

Aristotle Socrates Onassis was born on January 15, 1906, to a family of humble origins. His father, Socrates Onassis, was a successful tobacco merchant, which provided the family with a comfortable lifestyle. However, tragedy struck at an early age when Aristotle's father perished in a terrible accident, leaving the family in a state of profound grief and financial uncertainty.

A resilient young Aristotle embarked on a journey of self-discovery, determined to restore his family's fortunes. With an unyielding spirit, he ventured into the world of business, trading tobacco and ultimately expanding his entrepreneurial endeavors to shipping and oil industries. This ambitious drive soon propelled Onassis to spectacular heights of wealth and success, forever etching his name into the history books.

Beauty: The Fortunes of an Ancient Greek Idea (Onassis Series in Hellenic Culture)

by David Konstan (Illustrated Edition, Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2618 KB
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The Rise to Prominence

Onassis's grandeur reached its zenith when he founded the Olympic Aviation airline, transforming the aviation industry in Greece. His visionary approach turned his airline into a symbol of Greek economic prowess. Additionally, he acquired the famed luxury yacht "Christina O," which became synonymous with opulence and extravagant parties attended by the world's elite.

Onassis's larger-than-life personality and success inevitably garnered attention from the media and the public. His marriage to Athina Livanos, the daughter of a prominent shipping magnate, further solidified his status as a business tycoon. Their lavish wedding in 1946 was an event that captured the imagination of the masses, with its extravagance becoming the stuff of myths.

A Philanthropic Legacy

While Onassis enjoyed a life of unrivaled luxury, he also had a compassionate side. He believed in giving back to society and engaging in acts of philanthropy. The Onassis Foundation, established in 1975 following his death, has since become a bastion of support for Greek culture, arts, and education. Through scholarships, grants, and initiatives, the foundation continues to enrich Hellenic culture and preserve the legacy of Aristotle Onassis.

The Onassis Cultural Center

One of the most significant contributions of the Onassis Foundation is the establishment of the Onassis Cultural Center in New York. This cultural hub serves as a platform for Greek artists, performers, and intellectuals to showcase their talents to a global audience. Through exhibitions, concerts, theatrical performances, and lectures, the center fosters the dissemination of Greek art and culture in the modern world.

Onassis and Hellenic Culture Today

Aristotle Onassis's role in promoting Hellenic culture continues to reverberate in the present day. His dedication to preserving and promoting the Greek heritage represents an enduring commitment to the ancient ideals that define the essence of Hellenism.

His influential and prosperous presence in the worlds of business and society acted as a source of inspiration for numerous Greek entrepreneurs and leaders. The Onassis legacy serves as a testament to what one individual, driven by ambition and resilience, can achieve, transcending limitations and leaving an indelible mark on the world.

In

Aristotle Onassis, the epitome of success and wealth, left an indelible mark on the global stage. From his humble beginnings to his larger-than-life endeavors, his spirit and accomplishments have become part of Hellenic culture and the collective memory of the Greek people. The Onassis Foundation and the Onassis Cultural Center continue to carry his torch, ensuring that his legacy shines bright.

Beauty: The Fortunes of an Ancient Greek Idea (Onassis Series in Hellenic Culture)

by David Konstan (Illustrated Edition, Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2618 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	280 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

What does it mean to say something is beautiful? On the one hand, beauty is associated with erotic attraction; on the other, it is the primary category in aesthetics, and it is widely supposed that the proper response to a work of art is one of objective contemplation. At its core, then, beauty is a contested concept, and both sides feel comfortable appealing to the authority of Plato, and via him, to the ancient Greeks generally. So, who is right-if either?

Beauty offers an elegant investigation of ancient Greek notions of beauty and, in the process, sheds light on how we ought to appreciate the artistic achievements of the classical world. The book opens by reexamining the commonly held notion that the ancient Greeks possessed no term that can be unambiguously defined as "beauty" or "beautiful." Author David Konstan discusses a number of Greek approximations before positioning the heretofore unexamined term kállos as the key to bridging the gap between beauty and desire, and tracing its evolution as applied to physical beauty, art, literature, and more. The book then examines corresponding terms in Biblical Hebrew and ancient Latin literature to highlight the survival of Greek ideas in the Latin West. The final chapter compares the ancient Greek conception of beauty with modern notions of beauty and aesthetics. In particular, it focuses on the reception of classical Greek art in the Renaissance and how Vasari and his contemporaries borrowed from Plato the sense that the beauty in art was transcendental, but left out the erotic dimension of viewing. Even if Greece was the inspiration for modern aesthetic ideals, this study illustrates how the Greek view of the relationship between beauty and desire was surprisingly consistent-and different from our own. This fascinating and magisterial exploration makes it possible to identify how the Greeks thought of beauty, what it was that attracted them, and what their perceptions can still tell us about art, love, desire-and beauty.