Lucian, a new Odysseus? : role and issue of a Homeric character in the work of Lucian of Samosata

2015

The aim of our thesis, which comes within the scope of considering the process of rewriting classic texts in the time period of the second sophistic, is to study the unique importance of Odysseus in the writings of Lucian of Samosata. At first, Odysseus is distinguished from Achilles, a character more monolithic who, even in Homer’s works is constructed in contrast to Odysseus. Moreover, from an isolated quote to intricate references, scattered to create echoes between works seemingly very different, the context in which Odysseus appears is more elaborate and subtler than that of Achilles. Hence, studying and comparing references to both heroes is sufficient to imply Odysseus’ primacy, asso…