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Document Details : Title: Plutarch on the Alpha Author(s): ROSKAM, Geert Journal: Les Études Classiques Volume: 88 Issue: 1-4 Date: 2020 Pages: 285-300 DOI: 10.2143/LEC.88.1.3290449 Abstract : This article provides an interpretation of Plutarch’s Quaestiones convivales 9, 2 (737D-738C), which raises the intriguing question of why the letter alpha is placed first in the alphabet. Plutarch there mentions the following four alternative explanations, which are analysed one by one: (1) Protogenes proposes the traditional answer elaborated in the schools of the grammarians (based on the distinction between vowels, semivowels and consonants); (2) Ammonius recalls the Phoenician origin of the alphabet and thus introduces a historical perspective; (3) 'Plutarch', as a staged participant to the discussion, argues that the alpha is the first sound to be naturally uttered; and (4) Zopyrio dismisses the whole issue as a matter of pure coincidence. The whole Quaestio thus illustrates the dynamics of Plutarch’s zetetic thinking that succeeds in doing justice to the different aspects of a given problem. Cet article propose une interprétation d’un passage de Plutarque, Quaestiones convivales 9, 2 (737D-738C), qui soulève la fascinante question de savoir pourquoi la lettre alpha vient en premier dans l’alphabet. Plutarque y mentionne quatre explications différentes, qu’il analyse tour à tour: (1) Protogène donne la réponse traditionnelle élaborée dans les écoles des grammairiens (basée sur la distinction entre voyelles, semi-voyelles et consonnes); (2) Ammonius rappelle l’origine phénicienne de l’alphabet et introduit ainsi une perspective historique; (3) «Plutarque» soutient que le son ‘alpha’ est le premier que l’on prononce naturellement et (4) Zopyrion évacue la question comme résultant d’une simple coïncidence. La Quaestio dans son ensemble illustre ainsi la dynamique de la pensée zététique de Plutarque, qui parvient à rendre justice aux différents aspects d’un problème donné. Fatal error: Uncaught mysqli_sql_exception: Column 'lib_id' cannot be null in /srv/data/web/vhosts/poj.peeters-leuven.be/htdocs/secure/POJ/tracker2.php:212 Stack trace: #0 /srv/data/web/vhosts/poj.peeters-leuven.be/htdocs/secure/POJ/tracker2.php(212): mysqli_query() #1 /srv/data/web/vhosts/poj.peeters-leuven.be/htdocs/article.php(579): track2_page_hit() #2 /srv/data/web/vhosts/poj.peeters-leuven.be/htdocs/content.php(633): include('...') #3 {main} thrown in /srv/data/web/vhosts/poj.peeters-leuven.be/htdocs/secure/POJ/tracker2.php on line 212 |