Abstract

On the basis of the new edition of the Derveni papyrus, and of the numerous recent discussions, the paper sets out a detailed interpretation of cols. XIII–XVI. Two important recent suggestions are rejected in the course of this interpretation: the paper argues that the word aidoion in col. XIII.4 should be understood as ‘phallus’, and should not be taken as ‘venerable’, and, consequently, that the Orphic poem the Derveni author comments upon did not speak about Phanes. As a result, the more general hermeneutical claim of Brisson, that the Derveni author manipulates the text on three levels, is also criticized – instead of this three-tier exegesis, a more literal two-tier scheme is defended