Philosophizing on the Move: Sacred Landscapes as the Backdrop of Ancient Thought

This science communication article explores the profound relationship between classical Greek philosophy and the natural, sacred landscapes of antiquity. While intellectual debate is traditionally associated with urban centers like the Athenian Agora or the opulent homes of aristocrats, ancient philosophical inquiry was fundamentally tied to the environment. Through an analysis of the pilgrimage from Knossos to the Cave of Zeus in Crete depicted in Plato's Laws and the liminal space of the Ilissos River valley in the Phaedrus, this text demonstrates that these natural settings were not mere theatrical backdrops. Instead, they provided meaning, memory, and identity to the philosophical discourse. Bridging spatial archaeology, lived religion, and environmental humanities, the article advocates for a renewed understanding of how ancient communities projected shared knowledge and myths onto their topography, turning philosophy into an 'itinerant' activity. This publication is part of the digital outreach and knowledge transfer strategy for the HIEROTOPOI project (10.55776/PAT2141125)