Journal | Lexis
Journal issue | Num. 38 (n.s.) – Giugno 2020 – Fasc. 1
Research Article | La lunga vita di un εἴδωλον
Abstract
The essay reconsiders the well-known problem of the platonic interpretations of Od. 11.601-603, concerning Heracles’ εἴδωλον. Starting with a detailed description of the interpretive problems traditionally raised by the Homeric passage, the article provides an accurate analysis of Plutarch’s and Plotin’s different approaches to Heracles’ myth and to the eschatological concepts involved. The common rationalising surface hides deep conflicts inside the Platonic tradition. The cultural appropriation of the Homeric texts depends therefore to a large extent on the deliberate manipulation and misunderstanding of its original meaning.
Submitted: July 19, 2020 | Accepted: April 28, 2020 | Published June 30, 2020 | Language: it
Keywords Plotin • Plutarch • Heracles’ εἴδωλον • Platonic soul • Homeric afterlife
Copyright © 2020 Francesco Padovani. 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.
Permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/Lexis/2210-8823/2020/01/003