In this paper we challenge a staple of modern scholarship, which considers Hippias’ Synagogé as the first instance of Greek doxographical work. In this article, I offer a fresh analysis of the relevant ancient texts and of the state of scholarship. The result of this investigation casts doubt on the real nature and scope of Hippias’ Synagogé as a mere collection of passages. I argue that this usually taken for granted interpretation does not capture what the Synagogé may have been. By contrast, I suggest restoring the entertaining nature and rhetorical strategy that lie at the heart of Hippias’ literary effort.
Hippias Synagoge: an Historiographical Misunderstanding? / Andolfi, Ilaria. - In: THE CLASSICAL JOURNAL. - ISSN 0009-8353. - 118:3(2023), pp. 253-267.
Hippias Synagoge: an Historiographical Misunderstanding?
Ilaria Andolfi
2023
Abstract
In this paper we challenge a staple of modern scholarship, which considers Hippias’ Synagogé as the first instance of Greek doxographical work. In this article, I offer a fresh analysis of the relevant ancient texts and of the state of scholarship. The result of this investigation casts doubt on the real nature and scope of Hippias’ Synagogé as a mere collection of passages. I argue that this usually taken for granted interpretation does not capture what the Synagogé may have been. By contrast, I suggest restoring the entertaining nature and rhetorical strategy that lie at the heart of Hippias’ literary effort.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.