Νόμος ὁ πάντων βασιλεύς: Pindar, Callicles and Plato’s treatment of νόμος in the Gorgias

Abstract

The interpretation of Pindar’s poem in the Gorgias has greatly concerned scholars. Methodologically, the most appropriate approach to interpretation of the poem is to try and answer the four fundamental questions that arise: a) what is the central idea that governs Pindar’s poem in its extra-Platonic presence, as an autonomous poetic composition? b) which dramatic character refers to Pindar’s authority? c) what basic ideological direction does he follow and d) what is Plato’s literary goal? This paper will illuminate the aspects of the above questions, proceeding to a new interpretative approach of the Platonic use of the poem.