The Derveni Papyrus: Cosmology, Theology and Interpretation

by Gábor Betegh

Overview

Gábor Betegh presents the first systematic reconstruction and examination of the Derveni papyrus and analyzes its role in the intellectual milieu of its age. Found in 1962 near Thessaloniki among the remains of a funeral pyre, it is one of the earliest surviving Greek papyri and is a document of primary importance for understanding religious and philosophical developments of the time of Socrates. The book will appeal strongly to classicists, philosophers and historians of religion.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521801089
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	08/05/2004
Pages:	456
Product dimensions:	6.38(w) x 9.25(h) x 1.34(d)

About the Author

Gábor Betegh is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the Central European University, Budapest.

Table of Contents

Preface; List of abbreviations; Text and translation; 1. The find; 2. The first columns; 3. The reconstruction of the poem; 4. The interpretation of the poem; 5. The cosmic god; 6. Cosmology; 7. Anaxagoras; 8. Diogenes of Apollonia and Archelaus of Athens; 9. Physics and eschatology: Heraclitus and the gold plates; 10. Understanding Orpheus, understanding the world; Appendix: Diagoras and the Derveni author; Bibliography; Index verborum; Index of passages; Index of modern names; Index of subjects.

Editorial Reviews

"With valuable indexes and bibliography, Betegh's study is the definitive account of DP currently available. Essential."
-Choice

"Betegh has made a major contribution to understanding both the thought of the Derveni author and the Orphic poem which [the Derveni author] interprets; his reconstruction of the Orphic theogony and of the author's physical system should command wide assent."
-Richard Janko, University of Michigan, Bryn Mawr Classical Review

"The author, his editor, Cambridge University Press, and all involved in the production of this book are to be commended."
-Thomas M. Banchich, Canisius College, Buffalo, New York, The Classical Review

From the Publisher