University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Mythic paradigms and the Platonic life: Becoming a Bacchus in Damascius’ Philosophical History

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-19, 22:59 authored by Graeme MilesGraeme Miles
The fragmentary biographical work by Damascius, known as either the Life of Isidore or Philosophical History, appears to have begun with the myths of the dismemberment of Osiris and Dionysus. These programmatic allusions establish an important theme in the text that followed: ‘becoming a Bacchus’. This, as is clear from Damascius’ Phaedo Commentary, refers to the process of unifying and liberating oneself from the body at the ‘cathartic’ stage in the Neoplatonic scale of virtues. The acquisition of likeness to this specific deity is, therefore, a vital though far from final stage in the progression towards the ultimate goal of late antique Platonic philosophy: ‘becoming like god as far as possible’.

History

Publication title

Journal of Hellenic Studies

Volume

138

Pagination

55-66

ISSN

0075-4269

Department/School

School of Humanities

Publisher

Soc Promotion Hellenic Stud

Place of publication

31-34 Gordon Sq, London, England, Wc1H Opp

Rights statement

Copyright 2018 The Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in philosophy and religious studies

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC