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Herakles and Philoktetes (Palaiphatos 36)

Lowe, Dunstan (2013) Herakles and Philoktetes (Palaiphatos 36). Hermes, 141 (3). pp. 355-357. ISSN 0018-0777. (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:37507)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.

Abstract

According to the best available commentary (Stern 1996), the 36th myth busted by Palaiphatos (concerning Herakles and a certain 'Philoites') is the only one too corrupt to understand, and also the only one about a myth unheard of elsewhere. I argue that it is really about 'Philoktetes', the well-known hero who lit Herakles' funeral pyre on Mount Oeta. (In Palaiphatos' interpretation, Herakles failed to cure himself by applying leaves, but Philoctetes treated him more successfully using cauterization.) This proves that Palaiphatos always chose popular myths, and especially those which his readers would know from the tragic stage.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: P Language and Literature > PA Classical philology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Arts and Humanities > Department of Classical and Archaeological Studies
Depositing User: Dunstan Lowe
Date Deposited: 11 Dec 2013 16:03 UTC
Last Modified: 19 Apr 2022 11:28 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/37507 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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