Ancient Greek Philosophers Brought to Life by AI

Ancient Greek scientists and philosophers are brought back to life and tell their stories in this captivating video produced through Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Equator AI created the video using the latest artificial intelligence technology to bring these great thinkers to life and have them tell their life stories in their own words.

With the help of virtual reality and AI, we are able to step into their world and learn about their fascinating achievements and insights.

From Herodotus to Plato, ancient Greek scientists and philosophers tell their story

In the video, we hear from Herodotus, a historian and geographer from the Greek city of Halicarnassus, part of the Persian Empire, and later a citizen of Thurii in modern Calabria (Italy).

He is known for having written the Histories – a detailed account of the Greco-Persian Wars. Herodotus was the first writer to perform a systematic investigation of historical events. He is referred to as “The Father of History”, a title conferred on him by the ancient Roman orator Cicero.

Greek mathematician Thales, astronomer, statesman, and pre-Socratic philosopher from Miletus in Ionia, Asia Minor, tells us his story. Many, most notably Aristotle, regarded him as the first philosopher in the Greek tradition, and he is otherwise historically recognized as the first individual known to have entertained and engaged in scientific philosophy. He is often referred to as the Father of Science.

Homer follows. He is credited as the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, two epic poems that are foundational works of ancient Greek literature. Homer is considered one of the most revered and influential authors in history.

The Greek statesman and orator of ancient Athens, Demosthenes, stated “I am known for my fiery speeches and strong opposition to the expansion of Macedonian power led by King Philip the Second.” His orations constitute a significant expression of contemporary Athenian intellectual prowess and provide insight into the politics and culture of ancient Greece during the 4th century BC.

“I was a student of Plato and later became the tutor of Alexander the Great,” Aristotle says as he introduces himself. His writings cover a broad range of subjects including physics, biology, zoology, metaphysics, logic, ethics, aesthetics, poetry, drama, music, rhetoric, psychology, linguistics, economics, politics, meteorology, geology, and government.

Socrates, who follows, says he lived a simple life rejecting material possessions. “Unfortunately I was sentenced to death for my ideas and teaching. But my legacy lived on through by students, particularly Plato,” the Athenian philosopher says.

Naturally his disciple Plato follows. Plato founded the Academy, a philosophical school where he taught philosophical doctrines that would later become known as Platonism.

Plato was an innovator of the written dialogue and dialectic forms in philosophy. He raised problems for what later became all the major areas of both theoretical philosophy and practical philosophy. His most famous contribution is the Theory of Forms, where he presents a solution to the problem of universals.

Finally there is Chrysippus, a Greco-Phoenician Stoic philosopher. He was a native of Soli, Cilicia, but, as a young man, moved to Athens where he became a pupil of the Stoic philosopher Cleanthes. When Cleanthes died, around 230 BC, Chrysippus became the third head of the Stoic school.

A prolific writer, Chrysippus expanded the fundamental doctrines of Cleanthes’ mentor Zeno of Citium, the founder and first head of the school, which earned him the title of the Second Founder of Stoicism.