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Lexis | Num. 40 (n.s.) – Giugno 2022 – Fasc. 1

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Research Article

Divination of the Mother, Prophet of the Father

A Genealogy in Aesch. Eum. 1-20

Sonny Wyburgh    Università di Pisa, Italia    

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abstract

This paper aims to discuss the genealogical contents and structure of the opening verses of Aeschylus’ Eumenides. Considering genealogies as mythical digressions ideologically orientated, I will outline those elements that do not appear elsewhere in traditions concerning the foundation of the Delphic oracle. By analysing the connections between the poetic imagery and the audience’s ritual and mythological competence, I will demonstrate how Aeschylus enhances Athens’ positive cultural role in the establishment of a panhellenic sanctuary such as Delphi. Thus, these opening verses allow us to observe the mechanisms of identity construction through mythopoesis.

Published
June 30, 2022
Accepted
Feb. 8, 2022
Submitted
Dec. 16, 2021
Language
IT

Keywords: Genealogy • Eumenides • Identity • Athens • Aeschylus

permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/Lexis/2724-1564/2022/01/003

Copyright: © 2022 Sonny Wyburgh. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.