Abstract

Whereas earlier interpretations of Nietzsche have explored modern and postmodern themes in the late works, this dissertation signals a significant shift in the understanding of Nietzsche by locating an unmodern tradition of philosophy within the early works. Such an account not only provides a new perspective on the young Nietzsche's concept of art, history, and philosophy but discovers a rich vein of mythical thinking in Nietzsche's overall conception of Western culture. Nietzsche's view on chthonic Greek culture is probed to radically transform the longstanding Platonic/Aristotelean basis of philosophy into a discourse concerning the Hesiodic myth-maker, Lebadeian sage, and pre-Platonic philosopher