The infernal journey in Cataplus by Lucian: a poetics of invention in the crossing through the Stygia (Cat. 18-22)

Abstract

The descent or the Tyrant (Cat.) is a dialogue by Lucian of Samosata formed by the rhetorical topics of Hades and Tyranny. The studies on this piece focused on the theme of the abuse of the power. Nevertheless, Mestre (2013) has indicate the importance of the myth as an element in tension with satire. This paper proposes an analysis of the strategies of redefinition of the mythical versions. The purpose is to show that the relations between myth and satire construct levels of meaning where not only the ridicule of the excesses of power can be read, but also the parodic elaboration.