Secretary of State Marco Rubio calls on West to rekindle ancient virtues in Athens speech
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a speech on Oct. 10, 2026, from the historic Pnyx hill in Athens, urging the United States and its European allies to rediscover the virtues that shaped Western civilization.
Rubio said the West stands at "an inflection point … not only in the history of my nation, but an inflection point in the whole of our civilization," emphasizing that the challenges posed by the Iran conflict, AI, and genetic technologies demand a moral foundation rooted in ancient tradition.
Drawing a line from antiquity to the present, he described how "the greatest Americans of every generation have carried the unmistakable features of their forefathers—born in Athens, formed by Rome, baptized in Christendom, hardened in the furnace of medieval Europe, endowed with the English genius for liberty, and then carried across the Atlantic to be reborn on the shores of a new world." He argued that the institutions and ideas of the West are expressions of deeper qualities first seen in the ancient Greeks.
The Secretary highlighted traits such as "fierce individuality, relentless ambition, daring exploration and invention, a yearning for discovery, for adventure, risk and glory," suggesting that these attributes have powered both historical and contemporary achievements. He warned that without a revival of this "thumos"—the fire of passion, strength, courage and pride—Western societies risk slipping into decline.
Rubio linked the call to action with current policy concerns, noting that debates over AI, genetic modification and other biotechnologies will be shaped by the moral tradition he advocates. He cautioned that while a deep grounding in heritage will not answer every question, it will guide public discourse toward more resilient outcomes.
In concluding remarks, Rubio said the next steps involve "igniting that thumos" across the Atlantic, with the State Department planning follow‑up meetings with European partners to translate the speech’s themes into concrete diplomatic initiatives.
