Heraclitus in the Opening Columns (III-VI (43-6éé and in Columns XI (51) and XX (60) of the Derveni Papyrus
2022
Abstract
The article discusses possible influences of Heraclitus on the Derveni Papyrus, especially in the opening columns which describe a kind of ritual performed by the magi and mystes (col. VI).
Building upon the work of previous scholars, it argues that the influence of Heraclitus' ideas, not only here but also in other parts of the papyrus (most notably col. XI and XX) is more pervasive than generally thought.
A confrontation of some particular testimonies and fragments of Heraclitus with the text of the papyrus can perhaps help us gain a better understanding of both the content and the intellectual context in which the Derveni Papyrus originated.