Lexis Supplements Lexis Studies in Greek and Latin Literature | Lexis Ancient Philosophy |
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Series | Lexis Supplements
Edited book | Classic and Contemporary Agamemnon
Chapter | The Chariot and its Antagonist Steeds

The Chariot and its Antagonist Steeds

About Aeschylus’ Persae 171-200 and Plato’s Phaedrus 246ab

Abstract

This study deals with the image of the chariot and its steeds in the imagery of some crucial Greek texts suggesting a number of Iranian resonances, which show the presence of corresponding themes and motifs well rooted within the Mazdean mythology and its poetical language. The article actually proposes a new approach to famous passages, such as Parmenides’ proem to the poem On Nature, Aeschylus’ Persae 171-20, Plato’s Phaedrus 24, and suggests an original interpretation of the ideological (Barbarian = Persian) role assumed by the victorious Greek king in Aeschylus’ Agamemnon, when he appears in front of his palace and his wife Clytemnestra. Some aspects of Atossa’s dreams, in particular their symbolic complexity, are dealt with in the framework of a comparative Greek-Persian dimension.


Open access | Peer reviewed

Submitted: Dec. 22, 2021 | Accepted: March 15, 2022 | Published Dec. 13, 2022 | Language: en

Keywords DualismsHorses and chariotsInterculturalityAeschylus’ PersaePlato’s PhaedrusDreamsIranian mythology


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