Chinese classicists battle to save Greek, Roman works from online conspiracy theories

Supporters of the so-called pseudo-history argue that much of classical Greek literature, including the works of Aristotle, were faked

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Theories that ancient Greek and Roman culture was faked are increasingly popular in some corners of the Chinese internet. Photo: AP

Published: 2:00pm, 22 Dec 2024Updated: 4:35pm, 22 Dec 2024

Chinese academics studying the Western classics are battling an increasingly popular conspiracy theory that Greek and Roman literature, philosophy and even famous monuments are hoaxes.

The pseudo-historical school – as its detractors have called it – has been around for years, but what was once a fringe position has become increasingly prominent online with some noted nationalist intellectuals helping to amplify conspiracy theories, and some even questioning whether Aristotle and his surviving works were real.

Mantineia Liu, a postgraduate student studying Western classical philosophy at Shanghai’s Fudan University, said that over the past 10 years she had seen this idea spread from small groups in certain chat groups to something her older relatives keep bringing up when she went home for family gatherings such as Lunar New Year.

But she feels that since 2017, the conspiracy theory had “suddenly expanded”. More than once older family members have said to her: “I’ve heard that all these Western historical and cultural relics are faked, is it possible?”

An associate professor studying classical Western philosophy at a top Chinese university echoed Liu’s comments.

“People who are really interested in ancient philosophy, thought or history don’t buy this kind of view, and it’s often taken as a joke in academia, but it has a huge market among the general public,” the academic, who asked not to be named, said.