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A Modern Estimate of Ancient Religion: The Work of Charles Kerényi
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 July 2024
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Charles Kerényi began his research before 1927. In that year he achieved brilliant renown, thanks to a suggestive and wonderfully comprehensive book on the Greco-oriental novel that is replete with ideas. He wrote it from the illuminating standpoint of the history of religions. Following the author of the classical Psyche, and with innumerable contributions of his own, he once again gave proof of that delicate sense of the religious subconscious which could have subsisted, more or less somnolent, in the composite spirit of the Mediterraneans of yesterday and today. We are eternally indebted to the curious, folkloric inquiries which have transported us to their time, introducing us to an ancient religiosity, secret, and perhaps unconscious. The Hellenistic or Greco-Roman novels, forerunners of some of our most modern literature, drew substance at will from eternal, human belief. In stoically scrutinizing their content—one might even say balderdash—we tend therefore to forgive them much because of the richness of their soil, infused as it was with popular legends which carry with them a highly tonic and savory mixture of old rites, discarded superstitions, half-extinguished cults. Where, for example, can one seek a better statement on the notion of the pure and the impure, which still preoccupies us so much today? Or on the sensitivity of those who, in quest of virtue, went off whenever necessary and with great ado to meet the assembled gods?
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- Copyright © 1959 Fédération Internationale des Sociétés de Philosophie / International Federation of Philosophical Societies (FISP)
References
1. Die griechische-orientalische Roman-Literatur in religions-geschichtlicher Beleuch tung (I927).
2. French readers are very familiar with this classical treatise, thanks to the famous translation by Auguste Reymond; furthermore, the authoritative work of Erwin Rohde has often been re-edited; since I893 there have been ten editions in Germany; the original text has always been reprinted without alteration. This deference is justified.
3. The latest: Louis Moulinier, Le Pur et l'impur dans la pensée et la sensibilité des Grecs jusqu'à la fin du IVe siècle avant J.C. (I950).
4. As a glossary on studies concerning the Hellenistic and Greco-Roman novel, it would be profitable to consult the exchange of correspondence (forty letters) between Thomas Mann and Charles Kerényi on the subject of the relationship between mythology and the novel (Briefwechsel über Romandichtung und Mythologie [Zurich: Rhein-verlag, I945]).
5. In France alone, for example, a single treatise like the I944 one on Hermes du seelen führer gave rise to the most attentive commentaries, in spite of the troubled times (cf., e.g., A. J. Festugière, Revue des Études grecques, I945, pp. 305-8; J. Treheux, Bulletin de correspondance hellénique, I944-45, pp. 420-2I; P. Boyance, Rev. Et. Anc., I946, p. I36; etc.)
6. In I948 Charles Kerényi published the Prolegomeni allo studio scientifico della mitologia (Turin: Einaudi), somewhat prior to a study on the Figlie del Sole (Turin: Einaudi, I949).
7. Cf. Gnomon (I956), pp. 553-55, for an account given by Charles Kerényi himself on Robert Graves's essay in two volumes, The Greek Myths ("Penguin Books") (I955).
8. Cf. Samuel Noah Kramer, History Begins at Sumer (London: Thames & Hudson, I957), and the review in the Revue archéologique, I (I958), II7-23.
9. We must hope that the tragic fate of one of the decipherers, Michel Ventris, will not seriously slow down the work.
10. Italian excavations being currently continued by Bernabo Brea.
11. Cf. in this regard particularly the studies of Fritz Schachermeyr, Die altesten Kulturen Griechenlands (I955). The author's most recent views are expressed in studies which he has given to the Nouvelle Clio, I, (I950), 567 ff., and to Diogenes, No. 4, Autumn, I953), pp. I7-30, entitled "The Genesis of the Greek Polis."
12. Diogenes, No. I4 (Summer, I953), p. II5.
13. We must remember that we have help on this point, thanks to the exact and novel studies of Miriam Astruc. In the very midst of the archaic and classical epoch in Greece and in Italy, eggs were deposited in the tombs, frequently in pairs. Regarding the decora tion of the ceramic, funeral egg, from the "series" of Helene Stathatos, I confess that I do not share H. Metzger's ideas, inspired by M. P. Nilsson. For the custom at Paestum cf. A. Maiuri, Peinture romaine, Album Skira, Pl. 2I.
14. The Revue archéologique gave an account (I [I954], 238-42) of the "Romans et contes égyptiens de l'époque pharaonique," the admirable collection of Gustave Lefevre, I949, stressing all that could be learned in it about the religion of the ancient Egyptians and that of other river folk of the Mediterranean, both north and south.
15. I dissent from Kerényi's interpretations in La Religion antique (I957), pp. 203 ff., as regards a mural painting in Livy's house in Rome.
16. Charles Picard, the mock "initiation baptism" at Eleusis and the formulary of the mysteries of the Two goddesses, Revue de l'histoire des religions (I958).
17. Cf. Chr. Desroches-Noblecourt, Bulletin de l'Institut Français d'Archéologie Ori entale, LIII (I953), 7-47, Pls. I-5 (concubines of death "… on the occasion of a prayer for a birth").
18. Histoire de la religion grecque, I, 709.
19. Die Kabiren (Uppsala, I950).
20. Cf., for the Etruscan mirror, Gerhard, Etruskische Spiegel, II, I38, I.
21. From now on we will remember and understand Peisistratus' surprise (he was the "faithful companion") when Prometheus unveils himself, the crown on his head, as we read it in Aristophanes' The Birds.
22. Cf. Mélanges Glotz, Dionysos Mitréphoros, I032; for the Ptilas or Psilax (primitive winged Dionysus); cf. Mélanges O. Navarre, I935.
23. I studied the worth of the new documents on this point at the recent meeting of the history of religions in Strasburg (June, I958).
24. Recently discovered in the Forum, in the quarters of the sanctuary of Vesta; one can see on these documents the sacred race run by Dionysus-Minotaur surrounded by panthers who remained attached to his cult. The scene evokes Pharaoh's ritual race near Apis in the dromoi of the sanctuaries of primitive Egypt.
25. Collection: L'Étlolution de l'humanité (Henri Berr), First Series, Vol. XI.
26. (Paris: N.R.F., I938)
27. Fr. Salviat, Bulletin correspondance hellénique, I (I958), I93-267. Twenty-odd public festivities are anticipated and listed according to the order of the seasons or of the calendar.
28. Publication (in I924) of Th. Zielinski, who thus left in his brief history of La Religion de la Grèce antique (translation of the Association G. Budé, I926) original and charming opinions. He, too, did not care for the "positivists."
29. The Attic Greek Reliefs (I95I).
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