Work

Of giraffes and men: a show of hybrid bodies in Heliodorus’ Aithiopika.

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This article discusses Heliodorus’ description of a giraffe at Aithiopika 10.27. First, it contextualizes this description within ancient, late-antique, and byzantine writings on giraffes, showing Heliodorus’ use and transformation of historiographical and scientific sources. From this emerges both his playing at historical realism, and the connection between the wondrous bodies of the giraffe and Charikleia. Second, I analyze the seemingly chaotic ensuing narrative of Theagenes’ athletic feats (10.28-32) as a coherent spectacle which continues the hybrid leitmotif initiated by Charikleia and the giraffe. In the eyes of the spectators, Theagenes’ body becomes as miraculous as Charikleia’s.

Source: Cuadernos de Filología Clásica Estudios griegos e indoeuropeos

DOI: 10.5209/cfcg.99187

Author: Nicolò D'Alconzo

Institution: Ghent University

Language: English

Topic: Classical Antiquity Studies

Subfield: Anthropology

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: European Commission, H2020 European Research Council

Awards: G434337789, Novel Echoes. Ancient Novelistic Receptions and Concepts of Fiction in Late Antique and Medieval Secular Narrative from East to West