Redeemed Tyrants and Complacent Priests: For a Rereading of Lucian’s Phalarides

Abstract

This article aims to propose a comprehensive analysis of Lucian’s Phalaris 1 and 2, in order to better understand their content and demonstrate that these texts are not mere rhetorical exercises. On the contrary, they reveal elements that showcase Lucian’s reflection on the peculiar experiences and tensions of the historical period in which he lived.