Zhiyuan was first drawn to the classics through a chance encounter with the Dionysian myth. Throughout the years, he has found his academic pursuits informed by his personal passions, such as experimental music, critical theory, American transcendentalism, and his love of nature. By bridging the gap between critical theory and classical texts, he strives to elucidate the spiritual and philosophical subtleties which underpin our subjective experience of the world. While still exploring, he has discovered that ancient music and dance are crucial sites for investigation. He is particularly interested in the representation of music and dance in pastoral literature, the esoteric knowledge imparted through mystery cults and spectacles, among others. Historiography is another of his academic interests. He is fascinated by the diverse forms of historical writing in the ancient world, which illuminates how human minds engage with the collective past.
Zhiyuan’s favorite Greek author is Herodotus, and his favorite Latin author is Ovid. In free time, he loves to discuss all sorts of music. He is also a firm believer in mindfulness practices.
