Pherekydes of Syros [Hardcover]

In the sixth century B.C., Pherekydes of Syros, the reputed teacher of Pythagoras and a contemporary of Thales and Anaximander, wrote a book about the birth of the gods and the origin of the cosmos. Considered one of the first prose works of Greek literature, Pherekydes' book survives only in fragments. Drawing on these fragments, as well as the ancient testimonies, Schibli here reconstructs the theo-cosmological schema of Pherekydes. From the mythopoeic creation account, colorful narratives of a divine marriage and a battle of the gods, and his remarks on the soul, Pherekydes emerges as a figure who moved between myth and philosophy, and as an important witness to early Greek thought in its various manifestations.

A most welcome survey and collection of the ancient testimony on the most generous scale ever. --Bryn Mawr Classical Review

Will come to be the standard for future work on Pherecydes....A thoroughly admirable piece of work....The edition of Pherecydes Schibli offers is a great improvement over what we had previously available....A tremendously important study of an elusive author. --Ancient Philosophy

A scrupulous and deeply learned treatment...This will no doubt be the foundation on which future work will build....An essential acquisition for libraries (as of course for Presocratic scholars). --Phronesis

This very useful book...will remain the standard work on Pherecydes for many years to come. --Greece & Rome