Ancient Literature

Prof. van der Linde

La Salle University

Workshop: Jean-Pierre Vernant – “The Figuration of the Invisible and the Psychological
Category of the Double: The Kolossos,” Myth and Thought Among Greeks.

1. What is the meaning of the word “Idol” within the clause “archaic idols” in (and since)
page 321 (last paragraph)? [You can also check the case of idol (eidolon) of Patroclus, in
page 325).

It is a ghost, like a double, in the case of Aquiles, he can see the psyche of Patroclus, if it is
the correct way to calling it. Is his death friend, but, at the same time is just a memory of
him, these idols are presence and absence that represent someone.

2. The Kolossos is an idol that:

2.a. has been set up permanently

2.b. could be portable frequently

Choose and option and explain your answer.

Has been set up permanently, because in page 321, the author explains the difference
between Kolossos and other figures like Bretas o xoanon, these two where more portable,
meanwhile Kolossos were used more like a link between a dead person and the world
using the death person psyche, so you would find the Kolossos in graves

3. According to the idea of “the Kolossos journey between the world of the living and that
of the dead” (page 324), is that journey only in one way or a sort of round trip? Explain
your answer.

In only one way, depends on the ritual, but according to the page, is a journey in one
direction, in some cases, would be an evocation of the psyche and then the presence of the
death person is removed, in the second, the living projected themselves in death
in the Kolossos, anticipating their disappearance into the invisible
Ancient Literature
Prof. van der Linde
La Salle University
4. Answer with your own words the following question of Vernant: “How could a stone,
fashioned and set up by man’s hand, have the significance of a double that would relate it
to such uncontrollable and mysterious psychic phenomena as dream figures and
supernatural apparitions”? (pages 327-328).

The Kolossos where related to religious symbolism, first of all, death seems to be
connected with a stone, they are a contrast with life, and by making these doubles, a soul
in stone that need a voice, the Greeks could make a phone for the death, is a contrast, is
making death visible to the light of the day, is like an intermediate

5. Finally, explain briefly what the eidolon (as a kolossós) is? (According to Acteon case)
(pages 330-331).

It translates the power of a dead man to be integrated with the material world, is a sign of
a ritual, the manifestation, and regulation of the relationship of the dead and the life, and
mediator. Establish a true way of communication to introduce the death presence into the
human world