Plongées et visions en mer grecque = The Greek Sea: Dives and Visions
Details
Serval ID
serval:BIB_38912E69DEE1
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Plongées et visions en mer grecque = The Greek Sea: Dives and Visions
Journal
Cahiers « Mondes anciens »
ISSN
2107-0199
Publication state
Published
Issued date
13/09/2021
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Number
14
Language
french
Abstract
Although the Greeks lived by the sea, the deep-sea realm was always difficult for them to penetrate, and they imagined it as an alien world inhabited by godlike figures and hybrid beings. Only very rare mortals had access to it: a few heroes, some humans turned into sea creatures, and people who were divers by trade. They all had extraordinary abilities, particularly as far as their “range of vision” was concerned. Focusing on this means of perception, we discuss several ways of ‘seeing’: from divers’ visual acuity to the divinatory knowledge attributed to sea deities (of whom Glaucus was the main representative), not forgetting the colour ‘glaucous’ specifically used to describe the waves, or someone’s gaze. Highlighting the coherence of these elements, we will discuss how the deep sea inspired distinctive visions: although it was difficult to bring back precise descriptions and clear images in line with the terrestrial view, there was a form of clairvoyance involved.
Open Access
Yes
Create date
25/09/2024 15:12
Last modification date
26/09/2024 7:19