egyptiorum more. La dimension politique du thème du zoomorphisme dans la Rome tardo-républicaine

Alessandra Rolle

Abstract:

This contribution analyses the first allusions in Latin literature to the Egyptian zoomorphism. While Cicero's remarks concerning to this very cult have already received some discussion, this article provides a comparative analysis of all the Latin sources of the late Republic on this issue, i.e. Cicero, Varro and Nigidius
Figulus. It argues that this very constellation provides a better understanding of the political implications of the theme of zoomorphism in the middle of the 1st century BC. According to this article, the ways in which these three authors discuss zoomorphism show, however differently, a subordination of Egyptian culture compared to those of the Romans.