Pathei mathos. Riflessioni sull’ ‘Inno a Zeus’ (Aesch. Ag. 160-183)

Through a comparison with other Greek theatrical texts, the analysis developed in this contribution on the ‘Hymn to Zeus’, which occupies vv. 160-183 of Aeschylus’ Agamemnon, aims at proposing a reconstruction of the idea of man circulating in Athens during the classical period, which was based on the acknowledgement of man’s ability to think (φρονεῖν) and to be experienced, skilfull (σοφίζεσθαι). Though still determined by the influence of a god, namely Zeus, the activity of thinking and the resulting technical ability seem to be presented on stage, as early as the late first half of the 5th century BCE, as the product of a possible autonomous action, which, on the other hand, must be stigmatised as a dangerous one.