| Popis: |
Despite the interest recently attracted by the maritime life of the ancient Greek communities, less attention has been paid to the role played by the gods active in the same sphere. Which are the relations between the flexibility of the polytheistic system and this specific field of experience? Inaugurating this path of research, the present essay aims at bringing to light the “modalities of action” pertaining to Aphrodite as a goddess specifically controlling - in addition to the “marine” - the “maritime” sphere. After exploring a various typology of documents (epiclesis, cults’ locations, literary representations) describing Aphrodite as a maritime power, the profile of the goddess will be contrasted with the characteristics of other gods, such as Poseidon, active in the same sphere. From this comparison Aphrodite emerges as the goddess granting the euploia (“fair sailing”) because her competences range from the movements of the liquids to the complex of factors at play between putting out the ship and bringing it to port. |
