Πολιτικές προεκτάσεις στα επιγράμματα του Ποσειδίππου (Πάπυρος Μιλάνου Vogl. VIII 309)
Creators: name: Τσιραμπίδου, Αγγελική Ανανία
Publisher: name: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Year: 2007
Subjects: Ποσείδιππος
Πτολεμαίος
Πάπυρος Μιλάνου
Πολιτική
Αρσινόη
Ελληνιστικό επίγραμμα
Posidippus
Ptolemy
Milan Papyrus
Politics
Arsinoe
Hellenistic Epigram

description: Η εργασία εξετάζει τις πολιτικές προεκτάσεις στα 112 επιγράμματα του παπύρου του Μιλάνου, vogl. VIII 309, που αποδίδονται στον Ποσείδιππο. Αρχικά δίνονται πληροφορίες σχετικά με τη ζωή και το έργο του Πελλαίου επιγραμματοποιού. Στη συνέχεια, η κάθε ομάδα επιγραμμάτων εξετάζεται σε ξεχωριστό κεφάλαιο. Τα "Λιθικά" παρουσιάζουν πολύτιμος λίθους. Εμφαση δίνεται στον πλούτο του πτολεμαϊκού βασιλείου, στο εμπόριο, την οικονομία και κυρίως στη διερευμένη γεωγραφία του ελληνιστικού κόσμου και τις επεκτατικές βλέψεις των Πτολεμαίων. Στα "Οιωνοσκοπικά" το πολιτικό ενδιαφέρον εστιάζεται γύρω από τη διπλή αναφορά στον Μέγα Αλέξανδρο. Στα "Αναθεματικά" παρουσιάζονται αφιερώματα στη θεοποιημένη βασίλισσα Αρσινόη Β'. Στα "Επιτύμβια" προβάλλονται τα Μυστήρια στο πλαίσιο της πτολεμαϊκής πολιτικής για την ενοποίηση των υπηκόων. Στα "Ανδριαντοποιϊκά" επαινείται ο Λϋσιππος ως αγαπημένος γλύπτης του Αλεξάνδρου. Στα "Ιππικά" εξυμνούνται οι νίκες των Πτολεμαίων στους πανελλήνιους αγώνες. Τα "Ναυαγικά, Ιαματικά και Τρόποι" είναι οι 3 τελευταίες ενότητες, όπου προστίθεται λίγο ακόμη πολιτικό χρώμα π.χ. με την προβολή σημαντικών ανδρών της αυλής. Ακολουθούν συμπεράσματα, τα οποία συνοψίζουν τις επιμέρους διαπιστώσεις καθιστώντας σαφέστερη την πολιτική διάσταση της συλλογής
description: This treatise examines the political aspects of the Milan Papyrus Vogl. VIII 309, which includes 112 epigramms ascribed by the majority of scholars to Posidippus. The introduction informs the reader about the poet's life and his personality. It also examines his whole work and the main characteristics of his poetry. Posidippus was a native of Pella, but he traveled in several places of the Hellenistic world. It is possible that he stayed for a while at Athens and Samos, before his settlement at the court of Ptolemy Philadelphos in Alexandria. His poetry seems to be influenced by Asclepiades, as well as by Callimachus.This work presents a close reading of the newly found collection. Each chapter deals with the epigrams of a section of the collection. After a presentation of the content of each epigram, focus is given to the data, which helps us extract conclusions concerning the political character of the collection.The interpretative approach includes commentary which makes ample use of all the relevant historical information including inscriptions, coins, archaeological evidence etc.. The epigrams are also examined in comparison with the whole work of Posidippus and verses of other poets.The first section, named Lithika (Stones), is the longest in the collection and offers several political messages. It consists of 20 epigrams (AB1-20) about precious stones displaying the wealth of the Ptolemaic kingdom, the trade and the economy, and above all the expanded geography of the Hellenistic world. A number of places are mentioned: India, Persia, Arabia, Lykia, Mysia, Aegean islands etc.. These verses reflect the expansive Ptolemaic plans. The second section, Oionoskopika (Omens), includes 15 epigrams (AB21-35) that deal with omens and augury. The political interest mostly lies on the reference to Alexander the Great (AB31, 35), who is related to positive omens. The Macedonian King is presented by the Ptolemaic court not only as the model king, but also as their ancestor. Moreover, some omens, which are well known both in Greek and Egyptian civilization, promote the policy of the unification of the Ptolemaic subjects. There follows 6 epigrams (AB36-41) under the title Anathematica (Dedications), where the figure of Arsinoe II reigns.Several dedications are offered to this queen who is deifed and appears as a great protector of sea travelers and as a patroness of the arts. Her interference in the external policy of the kingdom is also implied. At this point extra information is given about Arsinoe's deification, temples and cult. Next comes the section Epitymbia (Epitaphs). These epigrams (AB42-61) give special attention to the Mysterie cults (Kabeiroi, Dimiter, Dionysus), as they were promoted again by the Ptolemaic policy for unifying reasons. The fact that, with the exception of two epigrams (AB60, 61), all the protagonists in Epitymbia are ordinary women, supports the view that Posidippus composes this collection under the command and the preferences of a queen, specifically of Arsinoe.The section Andriantopoiika (Statues, AB62-70) exhibits several pieces of art, mainly statues, that comply with the artistic tendances of the Ptolemaic Mouseion. The hyper-natural dimensions are abandonned.Posidippus opts for specific sculptors:Lysippus, Kresilas, Myron, Theodorus, Hecataeus, Haris the Rhodian. They care for the human intrinsic aspects, for the details and generally for a realistic effect. Statues with lifelike quality are brought forward as the best. An epigram is devoted to the statue of Filitas, as he was tutor of Ptolemy II Philadelphus. Above all Posidippus singles out Lysippus as the best, because he was the favorite sculptor of Alexander the Great.The political aspect of the collection is mostly evident in the section Hippika (Horse-racing, AB71-88). The victories of Ptolemaic kings and queens in the great pan-hellenic races are praised as unique. They testify the favor of gods, the power and wealth, the greatness and virtues of all the family. Such triumphs also imply the Ptolemies' political involvement in the affairs of continental Greece.The last three sections Nauagika, Iamatika, Tropoi (Shipwrecks, AB89-94, Cures, AB95-101, Characters, AB102-109) add some more points to the political coloring of the collection. The shipwrecked men of the Nauagika may present a negative example of those who died while traveling in the sea, because they did not pray to the sea-godess Arsinoe II. Even in this indirect way the deified figure of the queen is praised. Furthermore, some epigrams present a high-standing member of the court, a Macedonian doctor or a prefector of the Arsinoitis nomos.The treatise ends up with specific conclusions that gather the general remarks drawn in each section, making the political aspects of the collection even more evident.