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NOMOS, ANOMIA Ε THANATOS NAS HISTORIAS DE HERÓDOTO

Abstract

Nomos, Anomia and Thanatos in the Histories of Herodotus. In the Histories of Herodotus the word nomos occurs several times. It means a code of values and attitudes, responsible for the creation of a cosmic order. Breaking those mies is to produce acts known as anomia or acts qualified by anomoi and, in most cases, this implies the severest punishment of the transgressor, i. e., death {thanatos). By cornbining these three notions {nomos, anomia and thanatos), the historian from Halicarnassos confers some sense of unity to his work. Γη fact, in ali situations the transgressor is inevitably punished. This narrative pattern, being common to dramatic discourse, underlines the idea that Herodotus' world vision is based on principies similar to the dramatic poetry of his own time.