Apollon et la ΦΡΗΝ ΙΕΡΗ ΚΑΙ ΑΘΕΣΦΑΤΟΣ (Empédocle, fr. 134 DK)

Abstract

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ABSTRACT: Ammonius tells us that the verses of Empedocles' fragment 134 DK were intended as criticism of an anthropomorphic conception of the gods and especially of Apollo. To counter the notion of a god with human shape, Empedocles puts forward his own conception of Apollo as a "holy phrèn darting through the whole cosmos with swift thoughts".  But what is the holy phrèn that is here spoken of, and why has Empedocles chosen such a conception for his description of Apollo? The author of the study that follows calls into question the supposition that the holy phrèn is somehow or other related to the divine Sphairos. He argues, instead, that the Empedoclean Apollo is to be understood as a son of the Zeus who, in fr. 6, is identified as different manifestations of fire in the world. The Apollo, whose "darting" movement is described in fr. 134, will most likely be the sun. His "swift thoughts" are the sun's rays. The "cosmos" is the ether and the world.

KEYWORDS: Empedocles, Apollo, phrèn, anthropomorphism, presocratics