Pherekydes of Syros

By: Hermann Sadun Schibli

Write A Review

Hardcover | 19 July 1990

At a Glance

Hardcover
240 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
21.59 x 13.97 x 1.75

Hardcover

RRP $475.00

$339.75

28%OFF

or 4 interest-free payments of $84.94 with

or

Ships in 5 to 7 business days

In the sixth century BC, Pherekydes of Syros, the reputed teacher of Pythagoras and contemporary of Thales and Anaximander, wrote a book about the birth of the gods and the origin of the cosmos. Considered one of the first prose works of Greek literature, Pherekydes'' book survives only in fragments. On the basis of these as well as the ancient testimonies, the author attempts to reconstruct the theo-cosmological schema of Pherekydes. An introductory chapter on the life of Pherekydes is followed by four chapters on the contents of his book. From Pherekydes'' mythopoeic creation account, his colourful narratives of a divine marriage and a battle of the gods, and finally from his remarks on the soul, Professor Schibli is careful to unfold the philosophical implications. Pherekydes emerges as a figure who moved in that fascinating frontier between myth and philosophy. The theogonies of Hesiod and the Orphics, the cosmological speculations of certain Presocratics, and the Pythagorean tenets on the soul are all profitably compared with the remnants of Pherekydes'' book. Pherekydes is thus shown to be an important witness to early Greek thought in its various manifestations.This is the first book-length study in English dedicated to Pherekydes. It includes a comprehensive appendix of the fragments and ancient testimonies, along with limited critical apparatus and English translations.

Industry Reviews

'This is a splendid book, impeccably produced, in a style of scholarship rapidly disappearing. Schibli presents a persuasive interpretation of the fragments, modestly but with powerful expertise. Every paragraph is supported with long, learned and lively footnotes, covering a wide range of topics and references. Pherekydes of Syros is to be highly recommended in general, and is indispensable in particular for future study on the emergence of early Greek philosophy from religious and mythological constraints.' M.R. Wright, University of Reading, The Classical Review, Vol. XLII, 1992 'Hermann S. Schibli performs a valuable service in reexamining the evidence for the contents of Pherecydes' book and in reediting the fragments and testimonia. There is little doubt that his edition ... will come to be the standard for future work on Pherecydes ... Schibli gives us here a tremendously important study of an elusive author.' Robert Lamberton, Princeton University, Ancient Philosophy 12 (1992)

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $79.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.

Defective items

RRP $45.00

$39.75

12%
OFF

Meditations

Penguin Classics

Paperback

RRP $19.99

$18.75

Major Works of the Stoics (Boxed Set)

Meditations, Letters from a Stoic, Discourses and Selected Writings

Boxed, Slipcased or Casebound

RRP $120.00

$83.75

30%
OFF

Pherekydes of Syros

At a Glance

Hardcover

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

More in Ancient Western Philosophy

We're All Going to Die

Practical happiness for the time you have left

On the Shortness of Life

The Stoic Classic

The Obstacle is the Way: 10th Anniversary Edition

The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph

Discipline Is Destiny

The Power of Self-Control

The Daily Dad

366 Meditations on Parenting, Love and Raising Great Kids

Wisdom Takes Work

Timeless Stoic values from the multimillion-selling author of THE DAILY STOIC

Silent Patient

The record-breaking, multimillion copy Sunday Times bestselling thriller and TikTok sensation

Meditations

The Philosophy Classic

Discourses and Selected Writings

Penguin Classics

Meditations : Popular Penguins

Popular Penguins

The Nicomachean Ethics

Penguin Classics

Meditations

Design by Coralie Bickford-Smith

Modern Library Classics (Paperback)

A New Translation

The Republic

Penguin Classics

How to Compete

An Ancient Guide to the Virtues of Sports

Meditations

A New Translation

Meditations

Penguin Classics

Major Works of the Stoics (Boxed Set)

Meditations, Letters from a Stoic, Discourses and Selected Writings

How to Think Like a Roman Emperor

The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius

Philosophy and Martial Arts as Ways to Virtue

Leviathan, Large Print Multi-Volume Set

Leviathan, Large Print Multi-Volume Set

Leviathan, Large Print Multi-Volume Set

Leviathan, Large Print Multi-Volume Set

Philosophy

From Late Antiquity to the Renaissance

The Virtue of Sophrosune in Plato's Gorgias and Phaedrus

SUNY series in Ancient Greek Philosophy

This product is categorised by