Philhellenism, mishellenism and classical reception in modern China

Abstract ‘Constantly commending Hellas’ is a metaphorical expression coined by Mao Zedong to label Soviet-backed party rivals as ‘philhellenic’ during the 1941 party purge, reinforcing his leadership under the guise of the Sinification of Marxism. Following the communist conquest of China in 1949, the metaphor remained central to debates over ‘Westernization versus Sinification’. It highlights tensions between philhellenism and mishellenism and provides a valuable lens to explore the intersection of classical reception and modern Chinese thought. This article traces ‘Hellenomania’ in China from the mid-19th-century colonial period to the post-Mao era and addresses issues of nationalism, ideological interpretation and intellectual autonomy. It argues that ‘Hellenomania’, which served as a historical resource for China’s transition from a dynastic empire to a nation-state, has its roots in the intellectual tendency to view Euro-American modernity as descended from classical antiquity. Through five case studies of phil- or mishellenists, including Liang Qichao (1873–1929), Mao Zedong (1893–1976), Xiao Jun (1907–1988), Gu Zhun (1915–1974) and Lin Zhichun (1910–2007), the article explores their roles within the frameworks of classical reception and intellectual history.