Greek hymnic spaces

Thomas, O.

Abstract

This chapter surveys how space is presented in a range of ancient Greek hymns, both literary and cultic. It proposes as a framework for analysis a distinction between the space of the god addressed, that of the human performers and audience, and that of any inset narratives in the hymn. Alignments between these three frames are often used to create empathy between worshipper and god, while disjunctions between them acknowledge the awesome strangeness of a divine worldview. The presentation of space is therefore a crucial strategy in constructing the worshipper–deity relationship. The chapter also shows how hymnic depictions of Delos help to make sense of Herodotus’ presuppositions when he describes the island.

Citation

Thomas, O. (2015). Greek hymnic spaces. In E. Barker, S. Bouzarovski, C. Pelling, & L. Isaksen (Eds.), New Worlds from Old Texts: Revisiting Ancient Space and Place. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof%3Aoso/9780199664139.001.0001

• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Feb 1, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 1, 2018
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Book Title: New Worlds from Old Texts: Revisiting Ancient Space and Place
• ISBN: 9780199664139
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof%3Aoso/9780199664139.001.0001
• Keywords: Greek hymns; Space; Spatial frame; Herodotus; Delos; Limenius
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/770356
• Publisher URL: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/new-worlds-from-old-texts-9780199664139?cc=gb&lang=en&
• Contract Date: Feb 1, 2018