The sphragis of Heliodoros, genealogy in the Aithiopika, and Julian’s Hymn to King Helios.
Date
2011
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Departamento de Linguas e Culturas, Universidade de Aveiro.
Abstract
This article analyses the final sentence of Heliodoros's Aithiopika as a
sphragis- an autobiographical statement by the author. Heliodoros here
stresses his descent from Helios, as one of characters in the romance,
Persinna, also does. However, while genealogy (or physis) is an important
element it is counterbalanced by the relativization of knowledge in the
Aithiopika - nomos is king. The tension between these concepts is resolved by
reading the romance in the light of Julian's Hymn to Helios.
Description
Keywords
Heliodorus, of Emesa. Aethiopica., Julian, Emperor of Rome, 331-363. Hymn to King Helios., Greek fiction--History and criticism.
Citation
Hilton, J.L. 2012. The sphragis of Heliodoros, genealogy in the Aithiopika, and Julian’s Hymn to King Helios. Agora. Estudos Classicos em Debate 14 pp. 195-219.