Profiling the ‘Greek Genius’

What were the goals of 19 th -century biographers? What criteria did they use to select their subjects? To what extent did genius dictate their choices? Which characteristics made up the ideal type of the ingenious Greek? How did the biographers handle cases of evil genius, if any? What circumstances favoured or handicapped the fruition of ingenuity? Through the study of five collections of biographies and three independent biographies, the ‘Greek genius’ emerges as an inherent quality of specific great men, who excelled as politicians, scientists, military men, merchants and entrepreneurs. The period and fields of activity point towards a flexible umbrella term. As such, daimonion interpreted, reinvented and unified the motives and achievements of men who, as role models, confirmed the survival and progress of the Greek nation and inspired people to emulate them. The types and the manifestation of this genius were also counted as factors for reviving and shaping Hellenism as a brilliant, diverse entity, capable of surmounting challenges, achieving great feats and securing a future worthy of a long and glorious lineage. Hence, these biographers were supposed to provide evidence of the historical continuity of the Greek nation, as well as standards for individual success.