Studies On The Derveni Papyrus

Features

Description

The Derveni papyrus is the oldest literary papyrus ever found, and one of the very few from Greece itself, which makes it one of the most interesting new texts from the ancient Greek world to have been discovered this century. The eschatological doctrines and an allegorical commentary on an Orphic theogony in terms of Presocratic physics which it contains make it a uniquely important document for the history of ancient Greek religion, philosophy, and literary criticism.

This book is the first to have been published on the text. It includes a full and reliable translation of the Papyrus together with a range of articles by leading European and American classicists who are internationally recognised experts in Greek religion and philosophy. Professor K. Tsantsanoglou, who will publish the papyrus when work on it is complete, presents important new material and has checked all the articles against the Papyrus.

Thus for the first time, material is provided which will authorize scholarship upon the Papyrus in a way hitherto impossible, will stimulate further work on it, and will make the book a standard reference work on the subject for years to come. Review: Each of these essays is a notable contribution to our understanding of the papyrus.

The volume as a whole marks an important milestone in the rather unfortunate history of the Derveni papyrus. John A. Palmer, The Classical Review Performs a great srvice ... It includes the first ever English translation of the whole papyrus ... The essays comprise a useful survey of scholarship on the papyrus.

The standard of the contributions is high, and the book will be indispensable for further study. Times Literary Supplement Brings the papyrus firmly into mainstream ancient philosophy, to be taken seriously as a fascinating glimpse into the intellectual market-place of the time. Phronesis This extremely valuable book is highly recommended for scholars from a number of disciplines.

This is the only book (so far) dedicated to the Derveni papyrus; otherwise, articles on the subject are scattered far and wide. For this reason, and because of the crucial importance of the papyrus, I have no hesitation in recommending this book. - Robin Waterfield-Heythrop Journal Vol.40 No.3 July 1999