The paper deals with the pieces of evidence for Orphism from Herculaneum in which the name of Orpheus is mentioned, of which four belong to Philodemus’ treatise “On Piety,” and three to Book 4 of Philodemus’ “On Music.” As for “On Piety,” these testimonia have mainly mythological and theological content, offering important parallels to some passages of the Derveni Papyrus and to the allegorical methodology adopted by the Stoics (in particular Chrysippus). On the other hand, the treatise “On Music” tackles above all the problems concerning the relationship between Orpheus and the power of music against the backdrop of a more general discourse on the influence of music on human ethics.
Orpheus in the Herculaneum Papyri. Praesocratica Herculanensia VI
Christian Vassallo
2015-01-01
Abstract
The paper deals with the pieces of evidence for Orphism from Herculaneum in which the name of Orpheus is mentioned, of which four belong to Philodemus’ treatise “On Piety,” and three to Book 4 of Philodemus’ “On Music.” As for “On Piety,” these testimonia have mainly mythological and theological content, offering important parallels to some passages of the Derveni Papyrus and to the allegorical methodology adopted by the Stoics (in particular Chrysippus). On the other hand, the treatise “On Music” tackles above all the problems concerning the relationship between Orpheus and the power of music against the backdrop of a more general discourse on the influence of music on human ethics.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
