In July 2026, the Academy of Interdisciplinary Humanities and Archaeology in Athens (AIHAA) welcomed a group of around 30 visitors from China with a shared enthusiasm for ancient Greek philosophy, history, and culture for a specialized two-day academic programme in Athens.
For the philosophy component, we had the pleasure of inviting Professor Panagiotis Thanassas to deliver the course How to Live Well: Greek Philosophy and the Idea of Eudaimonia. Beginning with the emergence of philosophy and the transition from mythos to logos, the course introduced the ideas of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, before examining Aristotle’s understanding of eudaimonia—human flourishing—and the roles of virtue, habit, practical wisdom, friendship, fortune, and contemplation in living a good life. The programme also explored later Stoic and Epicurean approaches to happiness and well-being.
Alongside the lectures, an archaeology professor and member of AIHAA’s academic board provided in-depth guided visits to the Ancient Agora of Athens and the National Archaeological Museum. Through architecture, archaeological contexts, and museum collections, participants were introduced to the development of Greek material culture across a broad chronological span—from the Neolithic and Bronze Age to the Classical and Hellenistic periods.
To make the academic content accessible to all participants, AIHAA student translators assisted throughout the programme, facilitating communication between the professors and the Chinese-speaking audience.
By combining philosophy with archaeology and direct engagement with the monuments and collections of Athens, the programme offered participants an opportunity not simply to visit ancient Greece, but to approach its ideas, objects, and historical development through academic teaching and discussion.