Wonder and the Divine. The Eternal Chain in Plutarch’s, De E apud Delphos 384D-385D

Authors

  • Laurens van der Wiel KU Leuven

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14195/0258-655X_18_5

Keywords:

Sarapion, Ammonius, Apollo, De E apud Delphos, Participatory readership

Abstract

The first two introductory chapters of De E apud Delphos are confusing from a chronological point of view. A close reading and detailed analysis, however, reveals that Plutarch hid a chain throughout this part of the text, by means of thematic and verbal connections. This chain highlights that every mystery related to Apollo raises wonder about the god that leads to philosophical discussions. These discussions never result in a full answer, but lead to a new mystery related to the god that will elicit new discussions. This not only shows that recent scholarship is correct in claiming that Ammonius’ lengthy reply at the end of De E is not the eventual solution to the meaning of the E, but also clarifies Sarapion’s precise function as Plutarch’s dedicatee.

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Published

2021-12-28

Issue

Vol. 18 (2021): Ploutarchos

Section

Articles

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows sharing the work with recognition of authorship and initial publication in Antropologia Portuguesa journal.