Pherekydes’ Daktyloi: Ritual, technology, and the Presocratic perspective

Classical studies of the Idaian Daktyloi rely on evolutionary and survivalist models which assume prehistoric smiths as the locus of their meaning. More recent anthropologies of technology evaluate technological symbols for their integration of technology into the intellectual, ritual, historical an...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Blakely, Sandra 1959- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
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Published: Centre [2007]
In: Kernos
Year: 2007, Volume: 20, Pages: 42-68
Online Access: Volltext (doi)
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Summary:Classical studies of the Idaian Daktyloi rely on evolutionary and survivalist models which assume prehistoric smiths as the locus of their meaning. More recent anthropologies of technology evaluate technological symbols for their integration of technology into the intellectual, ritual, historical and economic structures of the subject culture. A fragmenta incerta of Pherekydes affords a testing-ground for this approach to the Daktyloi. The investigation reveals adaptability and integration into Pythagorean tradition, magical practice, and Cretan history. This offers more cogent reasons for the daimones’ longevity than previous models, and corrects the assumption that a fragmentary record reflects cultural insignificance.
Contains:Enthalten in: Kernos
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.4000/kernos.161