Can Zeus be deceived? The Mekone Episode (Hes. theog. 535–561) between Theodicy and Power-Politics

Marek Węcowski

doi:10.1524/klio.2012.0003

Article

Can Zeus be deceived? The Mekone Episode (Hes. theog. 535–561) between Theodicy and Power-Politics

Marek Węcowski

Published/Copyright: May 23, 2012

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From the journal Klio Volume 94 Issue 1

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to offer a new interpretation of a crucial passage of Hesiod’s “Theogony”, the episode of the mischievous division of the carcass of an ox by Prometheus in Mekone. There is a striking incongruity in the scene featuring Zeus deceived by, and enraged at, Prometheus’ trick but at the same time fully aware beforehand of the Titan’s deceit. In the eyes of Hesiod’s contemporaries, the confrontation between the two divinities owed much to an underlying experience of deceitful political struggles fought in public by prominent political leaders. Despite his foreknowledge, Zeus cannot help choosing, in the presence of the crowds in Mekone, the pile of the gleaming fat that pretends his royal ‘part of honor’. On this interpretation, one can subscribe to a brilliant emendation of this difficult passage (ll. 538–541) by the 17^th-century scholar François Guyet – against its diverse emendations and interpretations by later editors of Hesiod.

Keywords: Hesiod; archaische Politik; geras; Prometheus; Zeus

Published Online: 2012-05-23

Published in Print: 2012-05

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1524/klio.2012.0003

Keywords for this article

Hesiod; archaische Politik; geras; Prometheus; Zeus