The Proem of Parmenides’ Poem

Abstract

The paper offers a detailed interpretation of the proem of Parmenides’ great Poem. The subjects discussed include the relationship Parmenides could possibly have with the Orphic movement (particularly the Derveni cosmology), the identity of the hero of the poem and the goddess that reveals him the truth, the topographic peculiarities of his heavenly travel, some technical questions, etc. In general, my intention is to demonstrate that the rich cultural and literary context of the proem decisively contributes to a clearer understanding of philosophical ideas, for the first time expressed by Parmenides.