Wisdom in Pindar : gnomai, cosmology and the role of the poet

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:This study investigates the cosmological context of Pindar' s victory odes, and its importance fortheir encomiastic purpose. The introductory chapter deals with selected aspects of Pindaricscholarship in order to establish the usefulness of such an investigation. The first part of the studyfocuses on gnomai as a reflection of cosmological ideas. In Chapter 2 modem scholarship on theproverb and maxim, various ancient texts on gnomai and a number of references in Pindar areanalysed in support of the contention that gnomai provide a legitimate basis for an overview ofthe cosmology revealed in Pindars poetry. The overview presented in Chapter 3 discusses threebroad topics. The first concerns the elemental forces, fate, god and nature, the second deals withthe human condition and the third considers man in society from the perspectives of thehousehold and family relationships on the one hand and relationships outside the OtKOs on theother. The overview suggests that Pindar's work is founded on a mostly conventional outlook onman and his relationships with both extra-human powers and his fellow man. To complement theoverview three epinikia, Olympian 12, Isthmian 4 and Olympian 13 are analysed in Chapter 4.They demonstrate how the complexity of an actual situation compels the poet to emphasisedifferent aspects of the cosmology or even to suggest variations to accepted views. The analysesimply that presenting the cosmological context of a particular celebration in an appropriate wayis part of the poet's task. This aspect is further investigated in Chapter 5, which looks at the roleof the poet as mediator of cosmology. In some cases the poet demonstrates certain preferredattitudes which in tum presuppose particular cosmological convictions. In others this roleinvolves changing the perspective on the circumstances or attributes of a victor or his familythrough a modification of cosmological principles. Different approaches to the same theme indifferent poems show the author Pindar shaping the narrator-poet to represent varying viewpointsin order to praise a specific victor in the manner most suitable to his wishes and circumstances.The fact that the poet's task includes situating the victory in its cosmological context means thatthe glorification of a victor includes presenting him as praiseworthy in terms of broader lifeissues, such as the role of the divine in human achievement, a man's attitude to success and hisstatus in society. Pindar's use of cosmological themes in general speaks of pragmatism ratherthan conformity to and the consistent defense of a rigid framework of values. However, theprominence of cosmology in the odes and the sometimes very conspicuous role of the poet incommunicating it also reveal Pindar's abiding interest in man and his position in the world

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University