Project description
A big story behind a little-known text
The author and the date of composition of the Orphic Lithika remain unknown. In this context, the EU-funded Or.Li.N.E. project will study this poem about the miraculous virtues of 29 stones. The aim is to provide an overall study of this poorly studied text, which is still lacking today, and offer a reliable critical text and a faithful translation of the poem accessible to all. An extensive historical-literary and philosophical commentary will be presented, shedding light on the exact significance of the little-known text. The most innovative aspect comprises the attempt to propose a new comprehensive interpretation of the poem, starting from the hypothesis of its composition at the end of the 4th century AD within the milieu of the pagan philosophers who were friends and followers of the emperor Julian (331–363 AD).
Objective
The Orphic Lithika constitute a short poem in hexameters (774 lines) about the miraculous virtues of 29 stones, the author and the date of composition of which remain unknown. The aim of my research is to provide an overall study of this relatively poorly studied text, which is still lacking today: a reliable critical text, a faithful translation of the poem accessible even to non-classicists, and an extensive historical-literary and philosophical commentary which sheds light on the exact significance of a little-known text and its context of production. The methodology and approach that I will implement for the constitution of the text, the translation and the commentary will be traditional. The most innovative aspect of my work will consist in the attempt to propose a new comprehensive interpretation of the poem, starting from the hypothesis of its composition at the end of the 4th century AD within the milieu of the pagan philosophers who were friends and followers of the emperor Julian (361-363) – also known as “the Apostate” due to his failed attempt to restore pagan religious traditions in a Roman Empire which, by his times, had largely become Christianized. This project will enhance my creative and innovative scholarly potential and enable me to diversify my individual competence in terms of new skills acquisition, thanks to advanced training and international mobility. This would by in full conformity to the spirit and mission of the Marie Curie actions.
Fields of science
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Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinator
60323 Frankfurt Am Main
Germany