Editing Pre-Socratic philosophy (section)

== Historical background ==

[[File:Greek Colonization Archaic Period.png|thumb|upright=2|alt=Map of Greek coastal settlements throughout the Mediterranean and Black Sea|Map of [[Greek colonisation|Greek territories and colonies]] during the Archaic period (800–480 BC)]]

Philosophy emerged in ancient Greece in the 6th century BC. The pre-Socratic era lasted about two centuries, during which the expanding Persian [[Achaemenid Empire]] was stretching to the west, while the Greeks were advancing in trade and sea routes, reaching Cyprus and Syria.{{sfnm|1a1=Curd|1y=2008|1p=3|2a1=Burkert|2y=2008|2pp=55-56}} The first pre-Socratics lived in [[Ionia]], on the western coast of [[Anatolia]]. Persians conquered the towns of Ionia {{circa}} 540 BC and Persian [[tyrants]] then ruled them. The [[Ionian Revolt|Greeks revolted]] in 499 BC, but ultimately were defeated in 494 BC.{{sfn|Sandywell|1996|pp=82-83}} Slowly but steadily Athens became the philosophical center of Greece by the middle of the fifth century.{{sfn|Warren|2014|pp=18-21}} Athens was entering its [[Classical Athens|Classical Era]], with philosophers such as Socrates, [[Plato]], and [[Aristotle]], but the impact of the pre-Socratics continued.{{sfn|Warren|2014|p=181}}

Several factors contributed to the birth of pre-Socratic philosophy in Ancient Greece. Ionian towns, especially Miletus, had close trade relations with [[Ancient Egypt|Egypt]] and [[Mesopotamia]], cultures with observations about the natural world that differed from those of the Greeks.{{sfnm|1a1=Evans|1y=2019|1pp=12-14|2a1=Barnes|2y=1987|2p=14|3a1=Laks|3a2=Most|3y=2018|3p=53}} Apart from technical skills and cultural influences, of paramount significance was that the Greeks acquired the alphabet {{circa}} 800 BC.{{sfn|Burkert|2008|p=55-57}}

Another factor was the ease and frequency of intra-Greek travel, which led to the blending and comparison of ideas. During the sixth century BC, various philosophers and other thinkers moved easily around Greece, especially visiting pan-Hellenic festivals. While long-distance communication was difficult during ancient times, persons, philosophers, and books moved through other parts of the Greek peninsula, the [[Aegean Sea|Aegean islands]], and [[Magna Graecia]], a coastal area in [[Southern Italy]].{{sfn|Barnes|1987|pp=10-12}}

The democratic political system of independent ''poleis'' also contributed to the rise of philosophy. Most Greek towns were not ruled by [[Autocracy|autocrats]] or [[Theocracy|priests]], allowing citizens to question freely a wide range of issues.{{sfnm|1a1=Barnes|1y=1987|1p=14|2a1=Laks|2a2=Most|2y=2018|2p=53}} Various ''poleis'' flourished and became wealthy, especially Miletus. which was a centre of trade and production during the early phases of pre-Socratic philosophy. Trade of grain, oil, wine, and other commodities among each ''polis'' and colonies meant these towns were not isolated but embedded – and economically dependent – on a complex and changeable web of trade routes.{{sfn|Sandywell|1996|pp=79-80}}

Greek mythology also influenced the birth of philosophy. The philosophers' ideas, were, to a certain extent, answers to questions that were subtly present in the work of [[Homer]] and [[Hesiod]].{{sfn|Barnes|1987|p=16}} The pre-Socratics arose from a world dominated by myths, sacred places, and local deities. The work of epic poets such as Homer, Hesiod and others reflected this environment. They are considered predecessors of the pre-Socratics since they seek to address the [[cosmogony|origin of the world]] and to organize traditional folklore and legends systematically. Greek popular religion contained many features of the religions of neighboring civilizations, such as the Egyptians, Mesopotamians, and Hittites. The first pre-Socratic philosophers also traveled extensively to other lands, meaning that pre-Socratic thought had roots abroad as well as domestically.{{sfnm|1a1=Kirk|1a2=Raven|1y=1977|1pp=8-9, 71-72|2a1=Barnes|2y=1987|2pp=55-59|3a1=Waterfield|3y=2000|3pp=xx-xxiv}}

Homer, in his two epic poems, not only personifies gods and other natural phenomena, such as the Night, but he hints at some views on the origin and the nature of the world that came under scrutiny by the pre-Socratics.{{sfnm|1a1=Kirk|1a2=Raven|1y=1977|1pp=10,19|2a1=Barnes|2y=1987|2p=55}} In his epic poem ''[[Theogony]]'' (literally meaning the birth of gods) Hesiod (c. 700 BC) describes the origin of gods, and apart from the solid mythical structure, one can notice an attempt towards organizing beliefs using some form of rationalization; an example would be that Night gives birth to Death, Sleep and Dreams.{{sfnm|1a1=Waterfield|1y=2000|1p=xxii|2a1=Barnes|2y=1987|2pp=56-67}} Transmigration of life, a belief of the [[Orphism (religion)|Orphics]], a religious cult originating from Thrace, had affected the thought of the 5th century BC but the overall influence of their cosmology on philosophy is disputed.{{sfn|Kirk|Raven|1977|p=37-39}} [[Pherecydes of Syros|Pherecydes]], a poet, magician, and contemporary of Thales, in his book describes a particular cosmogony, asserting that three gods pre-existed – a step towards rationality.{{sfn|Kirk|Raven|1977|pp=70-71}}