“You shall be in wonder when you hear” — Conservation, mousike, and Plato’s praise of Egyptian art in Laws II, 653c — 654a
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14195/1984-249X_32_07Keywords:
Platão, Leis, Mousikḗ, Arte egípcia, Plato, Laws, Egyptian ArtAbstract
In Laws, mousikḗ́ is restored to the constitution of the city (Magnesia) as an instrument for the education of citizens. According to the Athenian Stranger, the regulation and preservation of mousikḗ 's correct forms, through mélos and skhē̂ma, is also responsible for the maintenance of Magnesia's cultural and political stability. In this context, Plato formulates an eulogy of Egyptian art, which would have maintained its style and, consequently, Egyptian politics stable for a long time. This article will thus present a translation of 653c — 654a and three contemporary interpretations of this eulogy. Lastly, the three interpretations will be evaluated and a possibility of an approximation between the platonic eulogy and Egyptian art will be suggested, considering its probable social, religious and political functions.
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