Of giraffes and men: a show of hybrid bodies in Heliodorus’ Aithiopika.
Abstract
This article discusses Heliodorus’ description of a giraffe at Aithiopika 10.27. First, it contextualizes this description within ancient, late-antique, and byzantine writings on giraffes, showing Heliodorus’ use and transformation of historiographical and scientific sources. From this emerges both his playing at historical realism, and the connection between the wondrous bodies of the giraffe and Charikleia. Second, I analyze the seemingly chaotic ensuing narrative of Theagenes’ athletic feats (10.28-32) as a coherent spectacle which continues the hybrid leitmotif initiated by Charikleia and the giraffe. In the eyes of the spectators, Theagenes’ body becomes as miraculous as Charikleia’s.
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