IL ΤΌΠΟΣ ΔΑΙΜΟΝΙΟΣ E IL PRATO DEL GIUDIZIO: ALCUNE INTERPRETAZIONI MEDIO E NEOPLATONICHE DELLA TOPOGRAFIA DELL’OLTRETOMBA NEL MITO DELLA REPUBBLICA

Abstract

This paper focuses on two topographical elements of Plato’s imagery of the Underworld, the τόπος δαιμόνιος and the meadow of judgment, which have a significant role in Er’s eschatological myth at the end of Republic (614b2-621c7). In particular, the paper aims at highlighting the allegorical interpretations of the τόπος δαιμόνιος and of the meadow of judgment offered by the Middle-platonic philosopher Numenius of Apamea (2nd century), the little-known teacher Paterios (4th century?) and the Neo-platonic philosopher Proclus of Lycia (412-485). These exegeses show the significant interest in Plato’s myths of the Underworld in later Platonism.