DR on Hellenism in Chinese antiquity
Lucas Christopoulos
Academic Career:
-PhD program: Hellenism in Chinese antiquity. Thesis: Historical, cultural, and military technology links between Hellenized Central Asia and China along the Silk Road during the Qin and the Han-Wei Dynasties. Hiroshima University, Japan; Faculty of Arts and Sciences (2008-2011)
-Masters (MA): Beijing Sports University (2000-2002)
-Bachelor of Arts: Chinese Martial Arts department (Wushu xi 武術系). Physical education. Beijing Sports University, China (1991-1996)
Background and Expertise:
Lucas Christopoulos is a scholar specializing in ancient civilizations, particularly focusing on the interactions between Greek and East Asian cultures. His research emphasizes the cultural exchanges that occurred along the Silk Road, especially the influence of Hellenistic culture in ancient Central Asia, Southeast Asia, India, China, and Japan. Christopoulos went alone to China at the age of seventeen where he stayed for ten years studying at Beijing Sports University and learning first with various masters of Wushu (Chinese Martial arts) throughout China; in Gansu, Zhejiang, and Beijing provinces. Lucas Christopoulos graduated in Wushu at Beijing Sports University with a dissertation on Wushu history in Chinese language. He did all the studies and training of a Chinese Wushu professor. He studied daily with some well-known Chinese Wushu traditional Masters and stayed by Master Huang Baoshan (1910-1998) in rural Gansu; Tianshui city. He speaks five languages fluently, and has spent about thirty years in the Far East. After his Wushu researches, he traveled to Japan, where he enrolled in a PhD program in History at Hiroshima University.
Research Contributions:
Christopoulos has published numerous works that explore various aspects of Greco- Buddhist art, combat sports, and the historical connections between Greece and Asia. His studies often highlight how Greek motifs and artifacts have been discovered in archaeological sites across China and Central Asia, indicating significant cultural diffusion during antiquity. One notable aspect of his work includes examining the transmission of Greek combat sports to East Asia. He discusses how these traditions were institutionalized by Hellenized aristocracies in Asia following Alexander the Great’s conquests. His research also delves into syncretism between Greek and Chinese religious practices, as seen in his article “Dionysian Rituals and the Golden Zeus of China.”
Key Publications:
Among his publications are titles such as “Early Combat Sports Rituals in China” and “Greek Combat Sports and their Transmission to Central and East Asia,” where he investigates how ancient Greek combat sports influenced martial traditions in East Asia. His latest publications "Hellenes and Romans in Ancient China," 'Dionysian Rituals and the Golden Zeus of China," and "Alexander the Great and Herakles as Guardians of the Buddha," delve mainly into historical connections and art transmission from Hellenized Central Asia and Gandhara to China.
Historical Contextualization:
Christopoulos places significant emphasis on understanding the historical context of these cultural exchanges. He argues against viewing Hellenism merely as a foreign element within Asian history; instead, he posits that it became an integral part of local traditions over centuries. In summary, Lucas Christopoulos is a prominent figure in the study of ancient intercultural relations, particularly regarding how Hellenistic influences permeated into East Asian societies through trade routes like the Silk Road.
Publications:
Books:
-The Mysterious Frog in the Mountains of the Six Excellencies Moon Willow Press, BC Canada (Oct. 2014)
-The Son of Hermes (to be published in 2024)
Peer reviewed academic articles:
-Demetrios of Bactria as Deva Gobujo and other Indo-Greek Myths of Japan. Sino- Platonic Papers, University of Pennsylvania, USA. Forthcoming
- Alexander the Great and Herakles as Guardians of the Buddha from Tapa Shotor. Helleno-Buddhist Universalism. Sino-Platonic Papers n.350 June 2024.
- Yuren, From Bird man to Eros. Sulla Via del Catai (On the Road to Cathay). CINA e GRECIA. Ecumenismi antichi allo specchio : il riflesso dell’Altro (China and Greece. Ancient Ecumenism in the Mirror: the reflection of the Other). Centro Studi Martino Martini, Trento, Italy 2024. Forthcoming
-Dionysian Rituals and the Golden Zeus of China. Sino-Platonic Papers n.326: University of Pennsylvania, USA (2022)
-Jin Dynasty Greco-Buddhist Atlas at the Zhongshan Grottoes. Sino-Platonic Papers n.297: University of Pennsylvania, USA (2020)
-Greek influences on the Pazyryk-style wrestling bronze buckles motif of Keshengzhuang. Sino-Platonic Papers n.260: University of Pennsylvania, USA. (2016)
-Combat sports professionalism in medieval China (220-960 AD). Nikephoros: Zeitschrift fur Sport und Kultur im Altertum; Graz University, Austria n.26 (2013)
-Greek combat sports and their transmission to Central and East Asia. Classical World Review: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA. n.106.3 (2013)
-Hellenes and Romans in ancient China (240 BC-1398 AD). Sino-Platonic Papers: University of Pennsylvania, USA. n.230 (2012)
-Early combat sports in China and the rise of professionalism (475 BC-220 AD) Nikephoros: Zeitschrift fur Sport und Kultur im Altertum; Graz University, Austria. n.23 (2010)
-Le Greco-Bouddhisme et l'art du poing en Chine. Sino-Platonic Papers: University of Pennsylvania, USA. n.148 (2006)
- Les Sports en Grèce et en Chine ancienne. Responsabilités dans le Sport; Université de Lausanne, Switzerland (2005)
Mentions (Academic Books and articles):
- Yongnian Zheng. Civilization and the Chinese Body Politic (China Policy series). Routledge 2023.
- Oxford Handbook of Sports History. Suzan Brownell; Ancient Chinese Sports (pp. 243- 244). Oxford University Press, May 4, 2017.
- The First Emperor and Sculpture in China. Lukas Nickel. Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, Volume 76, Issue 3. (pp. 413-447). Cambridge University Press, October 2013.
-Annual bibliography; Early China Vol. 37 (2014), pp. 625-647 (23 pages). Cambridge University Press.
- I Greci nell’esercito di terracotta. Maurizio Scarpari. Corriere della sera, Lettura (Magazine), April 4, 2017.
- Terracotta Warriors, history, mystery and the latest discoveries. Edward Burman (Book). Orion Publishing Group, London 2018.
-Greek Reporter: https://greekreporter.com/2022/12/01/ancient-greek-kingdom-china/ December, 1, 2022.
-“Il sinoplatonismo”, La Lettura (Corriere della Sera), 589, 12 marzo 2023, p. 7.
Google Scholar :
https://www.semanticscholar.org/author/Lucas-Christopoulos/48873268 https://hiroshima-u.academia.edu/ShanBao
Specialized Magazine articles:
-Vintage Drunken-style boxing, Kungfu Magazine USA, Oct-Nov. 2019
-Hongquan, The Red-Style boxing. Kungfu Magazine USA, Oct-Nov. 2018
-Qi family Tongbiquan History Kungfu Magazine USA, Dec-January 2016-2017
-Chen Xiang, Master of the Tao. Kungfu Magazine USA, Sept-Oct 2016
-18 Major Schools of Gansu stick fighting. Kungfu Magazine USA, May-June 2016
- Bajiquan, the Leopard Style. Kungfu Magazine USA, March-April 2016
-The history of Ape-Style Boxing. Magazine USA, January-February 2016
- The Legacy of Master Huang Baoshan. Kungfu Magazine USA, Nov-Dec. 2016
-The Style of Shaolin Zhou Tong Boxing. Kungfu Magazine USA Sept Oct 2015
-Hermaios, le Sauveur des Grecs. Revue Desmos, Genève, 2016-12
-De la pratique des arts martiaux a la recherche académique.
-PhD program: Hellenism in Chinese antiquity. Thesis: Historical, cultural, and military technology links between Hellenized Central Asia and China along the Silk Road during the Qin and the Han-Wei Dynasties. Hiroshima University, Japan; Faculty of Arts and Sciences (2008-2011)
-Masters (MA): Beijing Sports University (2000-2002)
-Bachelor of Arts: Chinese Martial Arts department (Wushu xi 武術系). Physical education. Beijing Sports University, China (1991-1996)
Background and Expertise:
Lucas Christopoulos is a scholar specializing in ancient civilizations, particularly focusing on the interactions between Greek and East Asian cultures. His research emphasizes the cultural exchanges that occurred along the Silk Road, especially the influence of Hellenistic culture in ancient Central Asia, Southeast Asia, India, China, and Japan. Christopoulos went alone to China at the age of seventeen where he stayed for ten years studying at Beijing Sports University and learning first with various masters of Wushu (Chinese Martial arts) throughout China; in Gansu, Zhejiang, and Beijing provinces. Lucas Christopoulos graduated in Wushu at Beijing Sports University with a dissertation on Wushu history in Chinese language. He did all the studies and training of a Chinese Wushu professor. He studied daily with some well-known Chinese Wushu traditional Masters and stayed by Master Huang Baoshan (1910-1998) in rural Gansu; Tianshui city. He speaks five languages fluently, and has spent about thirty years in the Far East. After his Wushu researches, he traveled to Japan, where he enrolled in a PhD program in History at Hiroshima University.
Research Contributions:
Christopoulos has published numerous works that explore various aspects of Greco- Buddhist art, combat sports, and the historical connections between Greece and Asia. His studies often highlight how Greek motifs and artifacts have been discovered in archaeological sites across China and Central Asia, indicating significant cultural diffusion during antiquity. One notable aspect of his work includes examining the transmission of Greek combat sports to East Asia. He discusses how these traditions were institutionalized by Hellenized aristocracies in Asia following Alexander the Great’s conquests. His research also delves into syncretism between Greek and Chinese religious practices, as seen in his article “Dionysian Rituals and the Golden Zeus of China.”
Key Publications:
Among his publications are titles such as “Early Combat Sports Rituals in China” and “Greek Combat Sports and their Transmission to Central and East Asia,” where he investigates how ancient Greek combat sports influenced martial traditions in East Asia. His latest publications "Hellenes and Romans in Ancient China," 'Dionysian Rituals and the Golden Zeus of China," and "Alexander the Great and Herakles as Guardians of the Buddha," delve mainly into historical connections and art transmission from Hellenized Central Asia and Gandhara to China.
Historical Contextualization:
Christopoulos places significant emphasis on understanding the historical context of these cultural exchanges. He argues against viewing Hellenism merely as a foreign element within Asian history; instead, he posits that it became an integral part of local traditions over centuries. In summary, Lucas Christopoulos is a prominent figure in the study of ancient intercultural relations, particularly regarding how Hellenistic influences permeated into East Asian societies through trade routes like the Silk Road.
Publications:
Books:
-The Mysterious Frog in the Mountains of the Six Excellencies Moon Willow Press, BC Canada (Oct. 2014)
-The Son of Hermes (to be published in 2024)
Peer reviewed academic articles:
-Demetrios of Bactria as Deva Gobujo and other Indo-Greek Myths of Japan. Sino- Platonic Papers, University of Pennsylvania, USA. Forthcoming
- Alexander the Great and Herakles as Guardians of the Buddha from Tapa Shotor. Helleno-Buddhist Universalism. Sino-Platonic Papers n.350 June 2024.
- Yuren, From Bird man to Eros. Sulla Via del Catai (On the Road to Cathay). CINA e GRECIA. Ecumenismi antichi allo specchio : il riflesso dell’Altro (China and Greece. Ancient Ecumenism in the Mirror: the reflection of the Other). Centro Studi Martino Martini, Trento, Italy 2024. Forthcoming
-Dionysian Rituals and the Golden Zeus of China. Sino-Platonic Papers n.326: University of Pennsylvania, USA (2022)
-Jin Dynasty Greco-Buddhist Atlas at the Zhongshan Grottoes. Sino-Platonic Papers n.297: University of Pennsylvania, USA (2020)
-Greek influences on the Pazyryk-style wrestling bronze buckles motif of Keshengzhuang. Sino-Platonic Papers n.260: University of Pennsylvania, USA. (2016)
-Combat sports professionalism in medieval China (220-960 AD). Nikephoros: Zeitschrift fur Sport und Kultur im Altertum; Graz University, Austria n.26 (2013)
-Greek combat sports and their transmission to Central and East Asia. Classical World Review: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA. n.106.3 (2013)
-Hellenes and Romans in ancient China (240 BC-1398 AD). Sino-Platonic Papers: University of Pennsylvania, USA. n.230 (2012)
-Early combat sports in China and the rise of professionalism (475 BC-220 AD) Nikephoros: Zeitschrift fur Sport und Kultur im Altertum; Graz University, Austria. n.23 (2010)
-Le Greco-Bouddhisme et l'art du poing en Chine. Sino-Platonic Papers: University of Pennsylvania, USA. n.148 (2006)
- Les Sports en Grèce et en Chine ancienne. Responsabilités dans le Sport; Université de Lausanne, Switzerland (2005)
Mentions (Academic Books and articles):
- Yongnian Zheng. Civilization and the Chinese Body Politic (China Policy series). Routledge 2023.
- Oxford Handbook of Sports History. Suzan Brownell; Ancient Chinese Sports (pp. 243- 244). Oxford University Press, May 4, 2017.
- The First Emperor and Sculpture in China. Lukas Nickel. Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, Volume 76, Issue 3. (pp. 413-447). Cambridge University Press, October 2013.
-Annual bibliography; Early China Vol. 37 (2014), pp. 625-647 (23 pages). Cambridge University Press.
- I Greci nell’esercito di terracotta. Maurizio Scarpari. Corriere della sera, Lettura (Magazine), April 4, 2017.
- Terracotta Warriors, history, mystery and the latest discoveries. Edward Burman (Book). Orion Publishing Group, London 2018.
-Greek Reporter: https://greekreporter.com/2022/12/01/ancient-greek-kingdom-china/ December, 1, 2022.
-“Il sinoplatonismo”, La Lettura (Corriere della Sera), 589, 12 marzo 2023, p. 7.
Google Scholar :
https://www.semanticscholar.org/author/Lucas-Christopoulos/48873268 https://hiroshima-u.academia.edu/ShanBao
Specialized Magazine articles:
-Vintage Drunken-style boxing, Kungfu Magazine USA, Oct-Nov. 2019
-Hongquan, The Red-Style boxing. Kungfu Magazine USA, Oct-Nov. 2018
-Qi family Tongbiquan History Kungfu Magazine USA, Dec-January 2016-2017
-Chen Xiang, Master of the Tao. Kungfu Magazine USA, Sept-Oct 2016
-18 Major Schools of Gansu stick fighting. Kungfu Magazine USA, May-June 2016
- Bajiquan, the Leopard Style. Kungfu Magazine USA, March-April 2016
-The history of Ape-Style Boxing. Magazine USA, January-February 2016
- The Legacy of Master Huang Baoshan. Kungfu Magazine USA, Nov-Dec. 2016
-The Style of Shaolin Zhou Tong Boxing. Kungfu Magazine USA Sept Oct 2015
-Hermaios, le Sauveur des Grecs. Revue Desmos, Genève, 2016-12
-De la pratique des arts martiaux a la recherche académique.
