Zalmoxis and Pythagoras: relations between katabasis and immortality of the soul

Authors

  • Luciano Coutinho Universidade de Coimbra - UC

Keywords:

Zalmoxis, Pythagoras, Immortality of soul

Abstract

The myth of Zalmoxis is extensively recorded in ancient texts. In the narration of Herodotus, which is probably the oldest one, the condition of Zalmoxis, as a slave of Pythagoras, attracts attention – a condition which the historian himself seems to doubt. However, some questions about this relationship enable us to perceive important notions about the psyche – notions that permeate the legends that refer to the two characters. Apart from the idea of the immortality of the psyche, the differences between the Thracian and the Greek perception shine through these legends. In this sense, this work seeks to understand some possibilities for a comparison between these legendary figures.

Author Biography

Luciano Coutinho, Universidade de Coimbra - UC

Luciano Coutinho está finalizando o Doutoramento em Estudos Clássicos (Filosofia Antiga) pela Universidade de Coimbra- UC. É Mestre em Filosofia Antiga pela Universidade de Brasília - UnB e Mestre em Arquitetura e Urbanismo (Estética) pela mesma universidade. Tem interesse em Filosofia Antiga e em Estética na Antiguidade.

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Published

2015-04-25

Issue

No. 35 (2015)

Section

Communications

License

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