Gli autori e il materiale gnomico tradizionale: una relazione pericolosa?

Abstract

Greek authors of archaic and classical literature used several traditional
expressions that circulated anonymously at that time. Many of these expressions
had their origin in the Mesopotamian culture. In the fourth century, they were often
attributed to specific authors such as, for example, Euripides and Menander, or
the Seven Sages. Well known traditional expressions progressively lost their original
sharpness. Some authors, then, tried to restore their strength by reshaping them. In
conclusion, two types of expressions could enter the gnomic tradition: either traditional
expressions reworked by famous authors or original formulations introduced by
famous authors in their works.