History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps HoP 080 - Delphic Utterances - Plutarch
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May 13, 2012 AI Snips
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Epsilon As An Address To The Divine
- The Delphic epsilon likely functioned as a philosophical symbol, not just a historical relic or numeral marking five.
- Plutarch (via Ammonius) interprets a as the verb 'you are', linking the epsilon to divine being and the Platonic being/becoming contrast.
Priest Plutarch Investigates Delphi's Epsilons
- Plutarch, a priest at Delphi, wrote On the E at Delphi as a framed dialogue exploring why Epsilons were left at the shrine.
- The dialogue stages multiple explanations before Ammonius offers the Platonic metaphysical reading.
Plutarch As Priest Scholar And Classicist
- Plutarch combined roles as a Delphic priest, aristocrat, and prolific author whose Lamprius catalogue lists many lost works.
- His surviving dialogues emulate Plato and make him a key source for Greek and Roman cultural history.