以《劍橋古代史》第6卷第2版為中心的討論,表明西方學術界有關公元前4世紀古典世界歷史的撰寫出現了某些新的趨勢。它們分別為:對公元前4世紀希臘世界歷史的重構,對波斯帝國衰落論的解構以及對馬其頓亞歷山大大帝新的評價。根據該書的論述,公元前4世紀的希臘並非一片衰敗景象,相反,該時期為希臘政治、技術和文化大變革時期。公元前4世紀的波斯帝國仍充滿活力,是東部地中海地區最為重要的力量之一。其靈活的統治手腕和對被征服地區的相對尊重是把雙刃劍,對內能有效維持自身的穩定,但對外難以抵擋馬其頓的強力衝擊。馬其頓的崛起和成功,與此前希臘人在諸多領域取得的進步以及馬其頓自身的發展,有著更直接的關系。因此,我們需要把腓力和亞歷山大的成功置於馬其頓與希臘歷史的總體框架中加以理解。此書建構的公元前4世紀古典世界新的歷史形象,吸收了近50年來西方學術界取得的新成果,其間得失,值得中國學術界重視。

In this discussion focusing on The Cambridge Ancient History（CAH）,vol.6,2nd ed.,we attempt to show recent trends in historiography dealing with the classical world in the fourth century B.C.which are mainly reflected in three fields:the reconstruction of the history of the Greek world in the fourth century B.C.;the deconstruction of the decline of the Persian Empire;and a new evaluation of Alexander the Great of Macedon.According to CAH,the Greek world in the fourth century B.C.,far from being in decay,witnessed great revolutions in politics,technology and culture.The Persian Empire was still dynamic,and was among the most important powers in the eastern Mediterranean region.Its flexible ruling tactics and,in relative terms,respect for the regions it had conquered,were a double-edged sword;they maintained the stability of the empire on the one hand,but were not equal to fending off Macedon's fierce attacks on the other.The rise of Macedon was largely due to Greek progress in a number of fields and to the state's own development.Therefore,we need to see the achievements of Philip and Alexander against the general background of the historical circumstances of Macedon and the Greek world.This new portrayal of the classical world of the fourth century B.C.reflects new thinking in Western scholarship of the last fifty years;its successes and failures merit the attention of Chinese historians.