Épiménide (in Greek old Ἐπιμενίδης / Epimenídês ), poet and Shaman crétois of seventh century BC It was regarded a long time as a legendary character.

Biography

The majority of the stories relating to Épiménide are consigned by Diogène Laërce (I, 110). Épiménide is originating in Cnossos, in Crete. According to the tradition, it is born in a family from shepherd, living in the shade of the palate of the legendary king Minos. Whereas he seeks a mislaid sheep, he finds a cave in which he falls deadened during 57 years. It is in fact the cave of a god with mysteries, who gives him during his sleep the knowledge of nature and the human organism, and grants the gift of divination to him. The episode inspires with Goethe the poem the Alarm clock of Épiménide ( Of Epimenides Erwachen , 1815).

Income in the world of the men, it is made known by its occult wisdom and its knowledge. Follower of the fast, it nourishes only one vegetable substance, which it preserves in an ox shoe. He can separate his heart from his body, and thus travel by the spirit.

Because of its wisdom, it is invited by Solon towards 596 (46e Olympiad) with Athens, in order to purify the city of the sacrilege made by the Alcméonides (profanation of the right of asylum). Athénée (XIII, 602 Cd) reports that it purifies the Attique by a human Sacrifice and dedication of a time to the Érinyes. In reward of its services, it accepts only one crowned olive branch, dedicated to Athéna.

Of return in Crete, he dies at the 157 years age (or 299, according to the sources). Thereafter, Sparte will also claim to shelter the tomb of the wise one. One finds his body covered with Tatouage S - practical unknown factor in ancient Greece except for the marking of the slave S - what attaches it to the tradition Thrace shamanism. The expression Ἐπιμενίδειον δέρμα / Epimenídeion dérma , “the skin of Épiménide” is then used to indicate a hidden thing.

Work

According to the tradition, he is the author of a Théogonie ( Γένεσις καί Θεογονία / Genesis kai theogonia ), of the Argonautiques and several religious treaties in worms, like the Rites of purification ( Καθαρμοί / Katharmoí ). It is however probable that these treaties were forged thereafter by followers of the orphism.

Some fragments allotted to Épiménide were found. One of them appears in the epistle in Tite, one of the books of the New Testament. Paul de Tarse written there:

“Somebody of them Crétois, their own prophet, said: “Crétois are always lying, of malicious animals, the lazy bellies. ”
(I, 12, transl. J.N. Darby)

It is probable that none the fragments is of Épiménide even. In the contrary case, this sentence is a paradoxical Auto-référence known under the name of Paradoxe of Épiménide.

Sources

• (I, 110);

• (642d);
• (Solon, 12);
• .

See too

Related articles

• Shamanism

• Other Greek Shamans: Abaris, Aristée de Proconnèse, Empédocle, Pythagore
• Théurgie Greek