Papers by Υorghos Pikrakis
Conference presentations by Υorghos Pikrakis
Less than a decade has elapsed since the publication of Divine Epiphanies in Greek Literature & C... more Less than a decade has elapsed since the publication of Divine Epiphanies in Greek Literature & Culture by Georgia Petridou (2015), a work delving into crisis as a socio-cultural phenomenon within the epiphanic schema. Around 363/4 CE, Gregorius Nazianzen, bishop of Constantinople, delivered a speech condemning his recently deceased and last pagan Emperor, Julian (Usacheva 2018), edited today as Contra imperatorem Julianum I (= Oratio IV King = PG 35/1857-66). Gregorius’s most hated adversary met his end in battle (Teitler 2017), yet even death failed to resolve the social crisis Julian left behind. Through his rhetoric, Gregorius sought to obliterate Julian’s memory by affixing upon him the moniker by which he is remembered to this day: the Apostate.
I intend to interpret the theatrical allegory of the hypercosmic courthouse that Gregorius constructed, wherein he symbolically subjects his deceased rival to trial for apostasy, drawing a parallel between Julian and Satan (= Hebr. & Syr. σατάν, ‘apostate’; νάς ‘snake’ = Justin Mart. Dial. 103.5.1-8). My analysis of the speech reveals Gregorius’s probable micro/macro-political ambitions, including his aim to vanquish his archenemy, assert Roman citizenship for Christians, and manipulate propaganda concerning cultural matters, such as the alleged inherent right of Christians to classical paideia. Essentially, Gregorius aimed to ‘disarm’ Julian posthumously and stage a symbolic Roman triumph.
Thus, Gregorius’s intricate narrative structure not only portrays Julian as the ultimate adversary of Christianity, depicted in his ‘real’ satanic form for the first time, but also frames Gregorius’s speech as a divine intervention against evil. (251 words)
[Gr]
A presentation held on the 27th of March 2023, in the 5th International Conference on the an... more [Gr]
A presentation held on the 27th of March 2023, in the 5th International Conference on the ancient Cypriot Literature, Limassol, focused on the general topic of The founding myths of Cyprus through the ages and Homer.
Postgraduate Colloquium on the Poetry of Nonnus of Panopolis, October 6 2023. NKUA, Aula 209. Mod... more Postgraduate Colloquium on the Poetry of Nonnus of Panopolis, October 6 2023. NKUA, Aula 209. Moderator: Aikaterini-Nina Carvounis.
ABSTRACT: In the following discourse, I will engage in an examination of a group of Greek testimonies concerning the mythical pithos (elsewhere in pl. pithoi), the jar that contains all misfortune and hope of humankind. This will serve a dual purpose: firstly, to elucidate its significance as a literary and cultural phenomenon, and secondly, to consider its role in the systematic identification of Hades, the Netherworld. My objective is to undertake a comprehensive exploration of the diverse traditions that have emerged through these testimonies. Additionally, I will delve into relevant philosophical and religious texts, such as Proclus' Commentary on Hesiod's Works and Days and Romanos the Melodist's Canticum 25 (Maas-Trypanis), both of which appear to have influenced Nonnus in the construction of his fictional character, Pithos. This inquiry will involve a meticulous examination of potential contextual narratives and the identification of notional and textual proximities that may arise from such scrutiny. It is imperative to acknowledge the significance of this endeavor in our pursuit of a deeper comprehension of the Staphylus' episode (Dion. 18-20.142). The central objective herein is the decipherment of the identity of Pithos, a pivotal character whose understanding holds paramount importance for unraveling the Judeo-Christian and Neoplatonic subtextual narratives concealed beneath the surface of Nonnian verses.
Nonnus of Panopolis in Context V: Poetic Frontiers. Madrid, 2023
https://eventos.ucm.es/84981/section/38059/nonnus-of-panopolis-in-context-v-poetic-frontiers.html
MA thesis by Υorghos Pikrakis
Interviews by Υorghos Pikrakis
Pre-Doctoral essays by Υorghos Pikrakis
Talks by Υorghos Pikrakis
[Gr]
A talk held on the 9th of May 2023, in the 25th Seminar on ancient Cypriot literature: Archa... more [Gr]
A talk held on the 9th of May 2023, in the 25th Seminar on ancient Cypriot literature: Archaic Epic Poetry and Cyprus, by the House of Cyprus (Embassy of Cyprus in Greece) and the Laboratory of Cypriot Studies, Faculty of Philology (NKUA).
[Gr]
A talk held on the 16th of May 2024, in the 26th Seminar on the ancient Cypriot literature:... more [Gr]
A talk held on the 16th of May 2024, in the 26th Seminar on the ancient Cypriot literature: Archaic Epic Poetry and Cyprus, by the House of Cyprus (Embassy of Cyprus in Greece) and the Laboratory of Cypriot Studies, Faculty of Philology (NKUA).
Book editing by Υorghos Pikrakis
Thanos Tsaknakis (ed. Yorghos Pikrakis & Vasilis Petikas). Τῶν σιωπηλῶν σπαράγματα. Ποιήτριες τοῦ ἀρχαίου κόσμου (Addendum by Yorghos Pikrakis). Το Ροδακιό Publishing, 2021
Book chapters by Υorghos Pikrakis
[Modern Greek]
'In silent ones' defense; a postscript on Greek female writing' (addendum & catal... more [Modern Greek]
'In silent ones' defense; a postscript on Greek female writing' (addendum & catalog of Greek writing poetesses), in: Th. Tsaknakis. (ed.) (2021). Fragments of the silent ones. Poetesses of the ancient world. To Rodakio Publishing.
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Papers by Υorghos Pikrakis
Conference presentations by Υorghos Pikrakis
I intend to interpret the theatrical allegory of the hypercosmic courthouse that Gregorius constructed, wherein he symbolically subjects his deceased rival to trial for apostasy, drawing a parallel between Julian and Satan (= Hebr. & Syr. σατάν, ‘apostate’; νάς ‘snake’ = Justin Mart. Dial. 103.5.1-8). My analysis of the speech reveals Gregorius’s probable micro/macro-political ambitions, including his aim to vanquish his archenemy, assert Roman citizenship for Christians, and manipulate propaganda concerning cultural matters, such as the alleged inherent right of Christians to classical paideia. Essentially, Gregorius aimed to ‘disarm’ Julian posthumously and stage a symbolic Roman triumph.
Thus, Gregorius’s intricate narrative structure not only portrays Julian as the ultimate adversary of Christianity, depicted in his ‘real’ satanic form for the first time, but also frames Gregorius’s speech as a divine intervention against evil. (251 words)
A presentation held on the 27th of March 2023, in the 5th International Conference on the ancient Cypriot Literature, Limassol, focused on the general topic of The founding myths of Cyprus through the ages and Homer.
ABSTRACT: In the following discourse, I will engage in an examination of a group of Greek testimonies concerning the mythical pithos (elsewhere in pl. pithoi), the jar that contains all misfortune and hope of humankind. This will serve a dual purpose: firstly, to elucidate its significance as a literary and cultural phenomenon, and secondly, to consider its role in the systematic identification of Hades, the Netherworld. My objective is to undertake a comprehensive exploration of the diverse traditions that have emerged through these testimonies. Additionally, I will delve into relevant philosophical and religious texts, such as Proclus' Commentary on Hesiod's Works and Days and Romanos the Melodist's Canticum 25 (Maas-Trypanis), both of which appear to have influenced Nonnus in the construction of his fictional character, Pithos. This inquiry will involve a meticulous examination of potential contextual narratives and the identification of notional and textual proximities that may arise from such scrutiny. It is imperative to acknowledge the significance of this endeavor in our pursuit of a deeper comprehension of the Staphylus' episode (Dion. 18-20.142). The central objective herein is the decipherment of the identity of Pithos, a pivotal character whose understanding holds paramount importance for unraveling the Judeo-Christian and Neoplatonic subtextual narratives concealed beneath the surface of Nonnian verses.
MA thesis by Υorghos Pikrakis
https://elocus.lib.uoc.gr/search/?search_type=simple&search_help=&display_mode=overview&wf_step=init&show_hidden=0&number=10&keep_number=&cclterm1=%CF%80%CF%81%CE%B9%CE%AC%CF%80%CE%B5%CE%B9%CE%B1&cclterm2=&cclterm3=&cclterm4=&cclterm5=&cclterm6=&cclterm7=&cclterm8=&cclterm9=&cclfield1=term&cclfield2=&cclfield3=&cclfield4=&cclfield5=&cclfield6=&cclfield7=&cclfield8=&cclfield9=&cclop1=&cclop2=&cclop3=&cclop4=&cclop5=&cclop6=&cclop7=&cclop8=&display_help=0&offset=1&search_coll[metadata]=0&search_coll[dlib]=1&&stored_cclquery=&skin=&rss=0&store_query=1&show_form=&clone_file=&export_method=none&display_mode=detail&offset=1&number=1&keep_number=10&old_offset=1&search_help=detail
Interviews by Υorghos Pikrakis
Συζήτηση με την Κατερίνα Λαδιανού στο άρθρο τού Θοδωρή Αντωνόπουλου για τη Σαπφώ σήμερα.
https://www.lifo.gr/culture/arxaiologia/sapfo-ena-diahroniko-pagkosmio-feministiko-kai-queer-symbolo
Pre-Doctoral essays by Υorghos Pikrakis
Talks by Υorghos Pikrakis
A talk held on the 9th of May 2023, in the 25th Seminar on ancient Cypriot literature: Archaic Epic Poetry and Cyprus, by the House of Cyprus (Embassy of Cyprus in Greece) and the Laboratory of Cypriot Studies, Faculty of Philology (NKUA).
A talk held on the 16th of May 2024, in the 26th Seminar on the ancient Cypriot literature: Archaic Epic Poetry and Cyprus, by the House of Cyprus (Embassy of Cyprus in Greece) and the Laboratory of Cypriot Studies, Faculty of Philology (NKUA).
Book editing by Υorghos Pikrakis
Book chapters by Υorghos Pikrakis
'In silent ones' defense; a postscript on Greek female writing' (addendum & catalog of Greek writing poetesses), in: Th. Tsaknakis. (ed.) (2021). Fragments of the silent ones. Poetesses of the ancient world. To Rodakio Publishing.
I intend to interpret the theatrical allegory of the hypercosmic courthouse that Gregorius constructed, wherein he symbolically subjects his deceased rival to trial for apostasy, drawing a parallel between Julian and Satan (= Hebr. & Syr. σατάν, ‘apostate’; νάς ‘snake’ = Justin Mart. Dial. 103.5.1-8). My analysis of the speech reveals Gregorius’s probable micro/macro-political ambitions, including his aim to vanquish his archenemy, assert Roman citizenship for Christians, and manipulate propaganda concerning cultural matters, such as the alleged inherent right of Christians to classical paideia. Essentially, Gregorius aimed to ‘disarm’ Julian posthumously and stage a symbolic Roman triumph.
Thus, Gregorius’s intricate narrative structure not only portrays Julian as the ultimate adversary of Christianity, depicted in his ‘real’ satanic form for the first time, but also frames Gregorius’s speech as a divine intervention against evil. (251 words)
A presentation held on the 27th of March 2023, in the 5th International Conference on the ancient Cypriot Literature, Limassol, focused on the general topic of The founding myths of Cyprus through the ages and Homer.
ABSTRACT: In the following discourse, I will engage in an examination of a group of Greek testimonies concerning the mythical pithos (elsewhere in pl. pithoi), the jar that contains all misfortune and hope of humankind. This will serve a dual purpose: firstly, to elucidate its significance as a literary and cultural phenomenon, and secondly, to consider its role in the systematic identification of Hades, the Netherworld. My objective is to undertake a comprehensive exploration of the diverse traditions that have emerged through these testimonies. Additionally, I will delve into relevant philosophical and religious texts, such as Proclus' Commentary on Hesiod's Works and Days and Romanos the Melodist's Canticum 25 (Maas-Trypanis), both of which appear to have influenced Nonnus in the construction of his fictional character, Pithos. This inquiry will involve a meticulous examination of potential contextual narratives and the identification of notional and textual proximities that may arise from such scrutiny. It is imperative to acknowledge the significance of this endeavor in our pursuit of a deeper comprehension of the Staphylus' episode (Dion. 18-20.142). The central objective herein is the decipherment of the identity of Pithos, a pivotal character whose understanding holds paramount importance for unraveling the Judeo-Christian and Neoplatonic subtextual narratives concealed beneath the surface of Nonnian verses.
https://elocus.lib.uoc.gr/search/?search_type=simple&search_help=&display_mode=overview&wf_step=init&show_hidden=0&number=10&keep_number=&cclterm1=%CF%80%CF%81%CE%B9%CE%AC%CF%80%CE%B5%CE%B9%CE%B1&cclterm2=&cclterm3=&cclterm4=&cclterm5=&cclterm6=&cclterm7=&cclterm8=&cclterm9=&cclfield1=term&cclfield2=&cclfield3=&cclfield4=&cclfield5=&cclfield6=&cclfield7=&cclfield8=&cclfield9=&cclop1=&cclop2=&cclop3=&cclop4=&cclop5=&cclop6=&cclop7=&cclop8=&display_help=0&offset=1&search_coll[metadata]=0&search_coll[dlib]=1&&stored_cclquery=&skin=&rss=0&store_query=1&show_form=&clone_file=&export_method=none&display_mode=detail&offset=1&number=1&keep_number=10&old_offset=1&search_help=detail
Συζήτηση με την Κατερίνα Λαδιανού στο άρθρο τού Θοδωρή Αντωνόπουλου για τη Σαπφώ σήμερα.
https://www.lifo.gr/culture/arxaiologia/sapfo-ena-diahroniko-pagkosmio-feministiko-kai-queer-symbolo
A talk held on the 9th of May 2023, in the 25th Seminar on ancient Cypriot literature: Archaic Epic Poetry and Cyprus, by the House of Cyprus (Embassy of Cyprus in Greece) and the Laboratory of Cypriot Studies, Faculty of Philology (NKUA).
A talk held on the 16th of May 2024, in the 26th Seminar on the ancient Cypriot literature: Archaic Epic Poetry and Cyprus, by the House of Cyprus (Embassy of Cyprus in Greece) and the Laboratory of Cypriot Studies, Faculty of Philology (NKUA).
'In silent ones' defense; a postscript on Greek female writing' (addendum & catalog of Greek writing poetesses), in: Th. Tsaknakis. (ed.) (2021). Fragments of the silent ones. Poetesses of the ancient world. To Rodakio Publishing.