Anastasios Nikolaidis - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Anastasios Nikolaidis
The Journal of Hellenic Studies, 2013
Athenian women "does not imply devaluation by the Athenians", but rather "reve rence" stemming fr... more Athenian women "does not imply devaluation by the Athenians", but rather "reve rence" stemming from the recognition of the women's "abstract importance and crucial role within the polis structure".
Symposion and philanthropia in Plutarch, 2009
Although the words φιλανθρωπία and φιλάνθρωπος are pivotal terms of his ethical vocabulary, Pluta... more Although the words φιλανθρωπία and φιλάνθρωπος are pivotal terms of his ethical vocabulary, Plutarch often attaches to these words meanings and nuances that appear to be ethically indifferent or neutral. One of these meanings is the sociability-nuance of philanthropia, which seems to describe all sorts of refined modes of behaviour such as courtesy, affability, tactfulness, friendliness, hospitality and the like. Plutarch appreciates and encourages these aspects of refined conduct (mainly in the Moralia), for he believes that they conduce to good human relations and promote social harmony. Yet, though some of his heroes (e.g., Phokion, Cato, Perikles) appear to be rather unsociable, Plutarch, far from finding any fault with them, explicitly or implicitly justifies and even approves of their sternness and austerity. Sometimes because he is aware that good manners and sociability, especially in the domain of politics, may be a deceptive façade that often conceals crude ambition or devious schemes and machinations; other times because he bows to the hero's moral excellence, which, under certain circumstances, seems to be somehow incompatible with the usual manifestations of sociability.
The Unity of Plutarch's Work, 2008
From the 48 extant biographical heroes of Plutarch, 2 (Galba and Otho) are never mentioned in the... more From the 48 extant biographical heroes of Plutarch, 2 (Galba and Otho) are never mentioned in the Moralia, and 6 are only cited-and very rarely at thatin essays of a somewhat special nature, such as the Apophthegmata, the Roman Questions, and the rhetorical pieces On the Fortune or Virtue of Alexander and On the Fortune of the Romans, where the relevant references are more or less expected. 1 The above essays aside, we shall find 19 heroes being mentioned only once or up to five times in the rest of the Moralia corpus, and another 7 being cited from six to ten times. 2 This arithmetic yields that from the 48 Plutarchean worthies only 14 occur with some frequency in the Moralia (48À34 [2+6+19+7] = 14); and that from those 14, Romans are only 3: the two Catos and-rather surprisingly-Pompey. 3 As for the heroes more frequently referred to, and leaving out again the special treatises above, the first place clearly belongs to Alexander (about 60 occurrences), and then follow Perikles (27 occurrences), Themistokles, Solon (without reckoning the Symposium of the Seven Sages), the elder Cato, Phokion, Demosthenes, Alkibiades, and the rest. My purpose in this paper is, on the one hand, to examine the context in which some Plutarchean heroes occur in the Moralia as well as the reasons for which Plutarch refers to them, and, on the other, to attempt an explanation in cases of varying or even conflicting versions between the Moralia and the Lives. Hopefully, this investigation may also tell us something about Plutarch's method of work and literary talent and, further, it may even plausibly suggest the sequence or relative chronology of some of his works. As I have argued elsewhere, 4 Plutarch's narrative in the Lives is of necessity influenced by his historical sources. This entails that his true beliefs about the
Although the words φιλανθρωπία and φιλάνθρωπος are pivotal terms of his ethical vocabulary, Pluta... more Although the words φιλανθρωπία and φιλάνθρωπος are pivotal terms of his ethical vocabulary, Plutarch often attaches to these words meanings and nuances that appear to be ethically indifferent or neutral. One of these meanings is the sociability-nuance of philanthropia, which seems to describe all sorts of refined modes of behaviour such as courtesy, affability, tactfulness, friendliness, hospitality and the like. Plutarch appreciates and encourages these aspects of refined conduct (mainly in the Moralia), for he believes that they conduce to good human relations and promote social harmony. Yet, though some of his heroes (e.g., Phokion, Cato, Perikles) appear to be rather unsociable, Plutarch, far from finding any fault with them, explicitly or implicitly justifies and even approves of their sternness and austerity. Sometimes because he is aware that good manners and sociability, especially in the domain of politics, may be a deceptive façade that often conceals crude ambition or dev...
The Classical Review, 1997
Virtues for the People, May 6, 2011
The Classical Review, 1997
American Journal of Philology, 2001
... yXav^ dont 1' oeil est brillant et fascinant." Maxwell-Stuart believes that... more ... yXav^ dont 1' oeil est brillant et fascinant." Maxwell-Stuart believes that glaucopis means "with light blue eyes" (1981,1.142), and similarly for Janka (1997,459 ... 2.28A.12 Cynthia's illness is blamed on her daring to deny the beauty of Athena's (by implication) blue eyes ("Palladis . ...
It is almost generally admitted that Plutarch was of a kindly and well meaning nature, and that, ... more It is almost generally admitted that Plutarch was of a kindly and well meaning nature, and that, owing to this, he had a tendency to look sympathetically at historical figures, bring into relief the good aspects of a man's character rather than the bad ones, and treat with leniency and understanding the weaknesses and shortcomings of his heroes.1 Acknowledged exceptions, although not on moral but on philosophical or philological grounds, are his fierce attacks against the Stoics and the Epicureans and, above all, his treatise on the malignity of Herodotus. The aim of this paper is to indicate a similar exception of this kind, which occurs in the Lives and concerns Plutarch's unexpectedly severe judgement on Nikias, and to try to give some explanation for it. Plutarch's prejudice against Nikias is perhaps most evident in the Comparison with Crassus, but several unfavorable judgements and innuendos can be also discerned in the Life proper. This does not mean that Plutarch ...
The Classical Review, 1994
Companion to Plutarch
This chapter will explore the nature of Plutarch’s moralism and methods of characterization as at... more This chapter will explore the nature of Plutarch’s moralism and methods of characterization
as attested in the Lives, but also with reference to his convictions about virtue and vice as
set out in the Moralia. However, since morality pertains to what is good and bad or right
and wrong, it would be appropriate to begin our investigation with a brief survey of
some essays which, despite their rhetorical character, seem to reveal much of Plutarch’s
moral outlook at large.
1.
Space, Time and Language in Plutarch
One of the best witnesses reflectingPlutarch'sintellectual world as well as the trends and broade... more One of the best witnesses reflectingPlutarch'sintellectual world as well as the trends and broader framework of the contemporaryeliteishis TableT alk. In the firstinstance,through the Romanparticipants (and high officialsatthat) in these learned conversations,the work bringstogether Greek andRoman intellectuals.Inaddition,through thep articipation of thinkersf romvarious philosophical schools,i tp rovides avivid picture of currenti ssues, interests,a nd trendsa sw ella sc ontemporary intellectual differences and conflicts over them. Further,inthe contextofthe dinner-party,itr eveals social mores, habits,p ractices and customs, matterso fe tiquette, and cultural issues. Moreover,i ts heds lighto nP lutarch'sf amilya nd friends,a nd bears important witness to stagesofhis life andcareer,but also to dailylife in Chaeronea and otherGreek cities. Finally, through thediscussion-topics involved, it mirrors the mainintellectual interests of this elitea tt he end of the firsta nd the beginningo ft he second centuryo fo ur era. This chapterw ills howh ow Plutarch managedt ob alance within theG raeco-Roman worldo fh is era, namely, betweent he realities of the Roman present andh is ownH ellenicp ast; in other words, betweenapresent that came from without andapast that emanatedf romw ithin. As is known, Plutarch lacks his own biographer and so what we know of Plutarch as am an, his publica nd private life, his family,h is habits and his overall mentality is primarilye stablished by piecing together the information which Plutarch himself scattered in his numerous writings. His political, social and intellectual stand is not difficult to ascertain, and in broad lines we can safelys peako faman born into an aristocratic familyofconsiderablyw ealthylandowners, who acquired an excellent education in Athens, travelled widelya nd created friendlyr elations with se-veralR omano fficials, senators and consuls included. But this general picture does not answer certain questions that one might raise: for instance, could Plutarch have made acareer either in the Roman administration or as an influential philosopher in the circles of the Romani ntellectual elite, had he so wished?² Another question: Does Plutarch'sd ecision to remain in Greece, and his obvious reluctance to learn Latin properly, although he did recognise the universality of the Latin languagei n his time (cf. Quaest. Plat.1 010D), tell us anything about his feelingsa nd attitude Manythanks to the anonymous referee for his/her meticulous reading of my article and for the corrections, observations and stylei mprovements he/she kindlys uggested.
The unity of Plutarch's work:" Moralia" themes in the" …, 2008
From the 48 extant biographical heroes of Plutarch, 2 (Galba and Otho) are never mentioned in the... more From the 48 extant biographical heroes of Plutarch, 2 (Galba and Otho) are never mentioned in the Moralia, and 6 are only cited-and very rarely at thatin essays of a somewhat special nature, such as the Apophthegmata, the Roman Questions, and the rhetorical pieces On the Fortune or Virtue of Alexander and On the Fortune of the Romans, where the relevant references are more or less expected. 1 The above essays aside, we shall find 19 heroes being mentioned only once or up to five times in the rest of the Moralia corpus, and another 7 being cited from six to ten times. 2 This arithmetic yields that from the 48 Plutarchean worthies only 14 occur with some frequency in the Moralia (48À34 [2+6+19+7] = 14); and that from those 14, Romans are only 3: the two Catos and-rather surprisingly-Pompey. 3 As for the heroes more frequently referred to, and leaving out again the special treatises above, the first place clearly belongs to Alexander (about 60 occurrences), and then follow Perikles (27 occurrences), Themistokles, Solon (without reckoning the Symposium of the Seven Sages), the elder Cato, Phokion, Demosthenes, Alkibiades, and the rest. My purpose in this paper is, on the one hand, to examine the context in which some Plutarchean heroes occur in the Moralia as well as the reasons for which Plutarch refers to them, and, on the other, to attempt an explanation in cases of varying or even conflicting versions between the Moralia and the Lives. Hopefully, this investigation may also tell us something about Plutarch's method of work and literary talent and, further, it may even plausibly suggest the sequence or relative chronology of some of his works. As I have argued elsewhere, 4 Plutarch's narrative in the Lives is of necessity influenced by his historical sources. This entails that his true beliefs about the
American Journal of Philology, 2001
... yXav^ dont 1' oeil est brillant et fascinant." Maxwell-Stuart believes that... more ... yXav^ dont 1' oeil est brillant et fascinant." Maxwell-Stuart believes that glaucopis means "with light blue eyes" (1981,1.142), and similarly for Janka (1997,459 ... 2.28A.12 Cynthia's illness is blamed on her daring to deny the beauty of Athena's (by implication) blue eyes ("Palladis . ...
Philologus
Given Plutarch’s fragmentary piece on Aristophanes and Menander (Mor. 853A–854D), a piece of Tabl... more Given Plutarch’s fragmentary piece on Aristophanes and Menander (Mor. 853A–854D), a piece of Table Talk on almost the same topic (Mor. 711A–713F) and various attacks on comic poets scattered through the Lives, one might believe that Plutarch is a staid, conservative and humourless author. But several other instances in his writings reveal a playful, facetious, witty and humorous Plutarch. This paper will focus on the Quaestiones Convivales, which bear ample witness to this aspect of Plutarch’s personality and authorial technique. It will examine the ways in which he introduces and describes the various interlocutors, discuss certain comments (or arguments) with which he tries to ridicule his philosophical opponents, notably the Stoics and the Epicureans, try to distinguish the various manifestations of Plutarch’s humour (spontaneous reaction, literary device, pleasantry, witticism, irony) and finally suggest that Plutarch’s stance and attitude towards playfulness, comic situations a...
The Journal of Hellenic Studies, 2013
Athenian women "does not imply devaluation by the Athenians", but rather "reve rence" stemming fr... more Athenian women "does not imply devaluation by the Athenians", but rather "reve rence" stemming from the recognition of the women's "abstract importance and crucial role within the polis structure".
Symposion and philanthropia in Plutarch, 2009
Although the words φιλανθρωπία and φιλάνθρωπος are pivotal terms of his ethical vocabulary, Pluta... more Although the words φιλανθρωπία and φιλάνθρωπος are pivotal terms of his ethical vocabulary, Plutarch often attaches to these words meanings and nuances that appear to be ethically indifferent or neutral. One of these meanings is the sociability-nuance of philanthropia, which seems to describe all sorts of refined modes of behaviour such as courtesy, affability, tactfulness, friendliness, hospitality and the like. Plutarch appreciates and encourages these aspects of refined conduct (mainly in the Moralia), for he believes that they conduce to good human relations and promote social harmony. Yet, though some of his heroes (e.g., Phokion, Cato, Perikles) appear to be rather unsociable, Plutarch, far from finding any fault with them, explicitly or implicitly justifies and even approves of their sternness and austerity. Sometimes because he is aware that good manners and sociability, especially in the domain of politics, may be a deceptive façade that often conceals crude ambition or devious schemes and machinations; other times because he bows to the hero's moral excellence, which, under certain circumstances, seems to be somehow incompatible with the usual manifestations of sociability.
The Unity of Plutarch's Work, 2008
From the 48 extant biographical heroes of Plutarch, 2 (Galba and Otho) are never mentioned in the... more From the 48 extant biographical heroes of Plutarch, 2 (Galba and Otho) are never mentioned in the Moralia, and 6 are only cited-and very rarely at thatin essays of a somewhat special nature, such as the Apophthegmata, the Roman Questions, and the rhetorical pieces On the Fortune or Virtue of Alexander and On the Fortune of the Romans, where the relevant references are more or less expected. 1 The above essays aside, we shall find 19 heroes being mentioned only once or up to five times in the rest of the Moralia corpus, and another 7 being cited from six to ten times. 2 This arithmetic yields that from the 48 Plutarchean worthies only 14 occur with some frequency in the Moralia (48À34 [2+6+19+7] = 14); and that from those 14, Romans are only 3: the two Catos and-rather surprisingly-Pompey. 3 As for the heroes more frequently referred to, and leaving out again the special treatises above, the first place clearly belongs to Alexander (about 60 occurrences), and then follow Perikles (27 occurrences), Themistokles, Solon (without reckoning the Symposium of the Seven Sages), the elder Cato, Phokion, Demosthenes, Alkibiades, and the rest. My purpose in this paper is, on the one hand, to examine the context in which some Plutarchean heroes occur in the Moralia as well as the reasons for which Plutarch refers to them, and, on the other, to attempt an explanation in cases of varying or even conflicting versions between the Moralia and the Lives. Hopefully, this investigation may also tell us something about Plutarch's method of work and literary talent and, further, it may even plausibly suggest the sequence or relative chronology of some of his works. As I have argued elsewhere, 4 Plutarch's narrative in the Lives is of necessity influenced by his historical sources. This entails that his true beliefs about the
Although the words φιλανθρωπία and φιλάνθρωπος are pivotal terms of his ethical vocabulary, Pluta... more Although the words φιλανθρωπία and φιλάνθρωπος are pivotal terms of his ethical vocabulary, Plutarch often attaches to these words meanings and nuances that appear to be ethically indifferent or neutral. One of these meanings is the sociability-nuance of philanthropia, which seems to describe all sorts of refined modes of behaviour such as courtesy, affability, tactfulness, friendliness, hospitality and the like. Plutarch appreciates and encourages these aspects of refined conduct (mainly in the Moralia), for he believes that they conduce to good human relations and promote social harmony. Yet, though some of his heroes (e.g., Phokion, Cato, Perikles) appear to be rather unsociable, Plutarch, far from finding any fault with them, explicitly or implicitly justifies and even approves of their sternness and austerity. Sometimes because he is aware that good manners and sociability, especially in the domain of politics, may be a deceptive façade that often conceals crude ambition or dev...
The Classical Review, 1997
Virtues for the People, May 6, 2011
The Classical Review, 1997
American Journal of Philology, 2001
... yXav^ dont 1' oeil est brillant et fascinant." Maxwell-Stuart believes that... more ... yXav^ dont 1' oeil est brillant et fascinant." Maxwell-Stuart believes that glaucopis means "with light blue eyes" (1981,1.142), and similarly for Janka (1997,459 ... 2.28A.12 Cynthia's illness is blamed on her daring to deny the beauty of Athena's (by implication) blue eyes ("Palladis . ...
It is almost generally admitted that Plutarch was of a kindly and well meaning nature, and that, ... more It is almost generally admitted that Plutarch was of a kindly and well meaning nature, and that, owing to this, he had a tendency to look sympathetically at historical figures, bring into relief the good aspects of a man's character rather than the bad ones, and treat with leniency and understanding the weaknesses and shortcomings of his heroes.1 Acknowledged exceptions, although not on moral but on philosophical or philological grounds, are his fierce attacks against the Stoics and the Epicureans and, above all, his treatise on the malignity of Herodotus. The aim of this paper is to indicate a similar exception of this kind, which occurs in the Lives and concerns Plutarch's unexpectedly severe judgement on Nikias, and to try to give some explanation for it. Plutarch's prejudice against Nikias is perhaps most evident in the Comparison with Crassus, but several unfavorable judgements and innuendos can be also discerned in the Life proper. This does not mean that Plutarch ...
The Classical Review, 1994
Companion to Plutarch
This chapter will explore the nature of Plutarch’s moralism and methods of characterization as at... more This chapter will explore the nature of Plutarch’s moralism and methods of characterization
as attested in the Lives, but also with reference to his convictions about virtue and vice as
set out in the Moralia. However, since morality pertains to what is good and bad or right
and wrong, it would be appropriate to begin our investigation with a brief survey of
some essays which, despite their rhetorical character, seem to reveal much of Plutarch’s
moral outlook at large.
1.
Space, Time and Language in Plutarch
One of the best witnesses reflectingPlutarch'sintellectual world as well as the trends and broade... more One of the best witnesses reflectingPlutarch'sintellectual world as well as the trends and broader framework of the contemporaryeliteishis TableT alk. In the firstinstance,through the Romanparticipants (and high officialsatthat) in these learned conversations,the work bringstogether Greek andRoman intellectuals.Inaddition,through thep articipation of thinkersf romvarious philosophical schools,i tp rovides avivid picture of currenti ssues, interests,a nd trendsa sw ella sc ontemporary intellectual differences and conflicts over them. Further,inthe contextofthe dinner-party,itr eveals social mores, habits,p ractices and customs, matterso fe tiquette, and cultural issues. Moreover,i ts heds lighto nP lutarch'sf amilya nd friends,a nd bears important witness to stagesofhis life andcareer,but also to dailylife in Chaeronea and otherGreek cities. Finally, through thediscussion-topics involved, it mirrors the mainintellectual interests of this elitea tt he end of the firsta nd the beginningo ft he second centuryo fo ur era. This chapterw ills howh ow Plutarch managedt ob alance within theG raeco-Roman worldo fh is era, namely, betweent he realities of the Roman present andh is ownH ellenicp ast; in other words, betweenapresent that came from without andapast that emanatedf romw ithin. As is known, Plutarch lacks his own biographer and so what we know of Plutarch as am an, his publica nd private life, his family,h is habits and his overall mentality is primarilye stablished by piecing together the information which Plutarch himself scattered in his numerous writings. His political, social and intellectual stand is not difficult to ascertain, and in broad lines we can safelys peako faman born into an aristocratic familyofconsiderablyw ealthylandowners, who acquired an excellent education in Athens, travelled widelya nd created friendlyr elations with se-veralR omano fficials, senators and consuls included. But this general picture does not answer certain questions that one might raise: for instance, could Plutarch have made acareer either in the Roman administration or as an influential philosopher in the circles of the Romani ntellectual elite, had he so wished?² Another question: Does Plutarch'sd ecision to remain in Greece, and his obvious reluctance to learn Latin properly, although he did recognise the universality of the Latin languagei n his time (cf. Quaest. Plat.1 010D), tell us anything about his feelingsa nd attitude Manythanks to the anonymous referee for his/her meticulous reading of my article and for the corrections, observations and stylei mprovements he/she kindlys uggested.
The unity of Plutarch's work:" Moralia" themes in the" …, 2008
From the 48 extant biographical heroes of Plutarch, 2 (Galba and Otho) are never mentioned in the... more From the 48 extant biographical heroes of Plutarch, 2 (Galba and Otho) are never mentioned in the Moralia, and 6 are only cited-and very rarely at thatin essays of a somewhat special nature, such as the Apophthegmata, the Roman Questions, and the rhetorical pieces On the Fortune or Virtue of Alexander and On the Fortune of the Romans, where the relevant references are more or less expected. 1 The above essays aside, we shall find 19 heroes being mentioned only once or up to five times in the rest of the Moralia corpus, and another 7 being cited from six to ten times. 2 This arithmetic yields that from the 48 Plutarchean worthies only 14 occur with some frequency in the Moralia (48À34 [2+6+19+7] = 14); and that from those 14, Romans are only 3: the two Catos and-rather surprisingly-Pompey. 3 As for the heroes more frequently referred to, and leaving out again the special treatises above, the first place clearly belongs to Alexander (about 60 occurrences), and then follow Perikles (27 occurrences), Themistokles, Solon (without reckoning the Symposium of the Seven Sages), the elder Cato, Phokion, Demosthenes, Alkibiades, and the rest. My purpose in this paper is, on the one hand, to examine the context in which some Plutarchean heroes occur in the Moralia as well as the reasons for which Plutarch refers to them, and, on the other, to attempt an explanation in cases of varying or even conflicting versions between the Moralia and the Lives. Hopefully, this investigation may also tell us something about Plutarch's method of work and literary talent and, further, it may even plausibly suggest the sequence or relative chronology of some of his works. As I have argued elsewhere, 4 Plutarch's narrative in the Lives is of necessity influenced by his historical sources. This entails that his true beliefs about the
American Journal of Philology, 2001
... yXav^ dont 1' oeil est brillant et fascinant." Maxwell-Stuart believes that... more ... yXav^ dont 1' oeil est brillant et fascinant." Maxwell-Stuart believes that glaucopis means "with light blue eyes" (1981,1.142), and similarly for Janka (1997,459 ... 2.28A.12 Cynthia's illness is blamed on her daring to deny the beauty of Athena's (by implication) blue eyes ("Palladis . ...
Philologus
Given Plutarch’s fragmentary piece on Aristophanes and Menander (Mor. 853A–854D), a piece of Tabl... more Given Plutarch’s fragmentary piece on Aristophanes and Menander (Mor. 853A–854D), a piece of Table Talk on almost the same topic (Mor. 711A–713F) and various attacks on comic poets scattered through the Lives, one might believe that Plutarch is a staid, conservative and humourless author. But several other instances in his writings reveal a playful, facetious, witty and humorous Plutarch. This paper will focus on the Quaestiones Convivales, which bear ample witness to this aspect of Plutarch’s personality and authorial technique. It will examine the ways in which he introduces and describes the various interlocutors, discuss certain comments (or arguments) with which he tries to ridicule his philosophical opponents, notably the Stoics and the Epicureans, try to distinguish the various manifestations of Plutarch’s humour (spontaneous reaction, literary device, pleasantry, witticism, irony) and finally suggest that Plutarch’s stance and attitude towards playfulness, comic situations a...