Book contents
- Pindar and Greek Religion
- Pindar and Greek Religion
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Acknowledgments
- Editions, Abbreviations, and Frequent References
- Chapter 1 Pindar Mythologus and Theologus
- Chapter 2 Herakles Looks Back at the World
- Chapter 3 The Dioskouroi in Existential Crisis
- Chapter 4 Exaltation at Akragas: Herakles, the Dioskouroi, and Theron
- Chapter 5 The Isolation of Amphiaraos
- Chapter 6 Asklepios and the Limits of the Possible
- Chapter 7 An Invitation
- References
- Subject Index
- Index Locorum
Chapter 6 - Asklepios and the Limits of the Possible
(Pythian 3)
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 18 November 2022
- Pindar and Greek Religion
- Pindar and Greek Religion
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Acknowledgments
- Editions, Abbreviations, and Frequent References
- Chapter 1 Pindar Mythologus and Theologus
- Chapter 2 Herakles Looks Back at the World
- Chapter 3 The Dioskouroi in Existential Crisis
- Chapter 4 Exaltation at Akragas: Herakles, the Dioskouroi, and Theron
- Chapter 5 The Isolation of Amphiaraos
- Chapter 6 Asklepios and the Limits of the Possible
- Chapter 7 An Invitation
- References
- Subject Index
- Index Locorum
Summary
“Asklepios and the Limits of the Possible,” interrogates Asklepios’ presence in Pythian 3 through the lens of interwoven generic frameworks, arguing that these function as a critical lens for the depiction of Asklepios’ changing cultic status and its activation within Pindar’s theological project. I focus on the ode’s extended Asklepian myths, arguing that they that they alternate between depicting Asklepios as an embodiment of failed human overreach and failure and as a superhuman healer by oscillating between the structures of negative epinician exemplum and cult hymn. These interwoven Asklepian identities require the ode’s recipient, an ailing Hieron of Syracuse, to understand his own aspirations and limitations in light of Asklepios’ identities, divided into mortal and immortal strands by Pindar’s modeling. The ode encourages Hieron, as mortal worshipper, to seek Asklepios’ healing, while himself aspiring, as epinician victor, to immortality in song.
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- Information
- Pindar and Greek ReligionTheologies of Mortality in the Victory Odes, pp. 200 - 239Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2022