Immagini delle origini

The essays collected in this book approach the problem of the origins of human civilisation and of cultural forms, a largely discussed theme in the Ancient world, dealt with by many authors from Homer to Philo of Alexandria, through the Sophists, Plato, Aristotle, Posidonius, and Lucretius.

The persistence of such a theme within a very wide period shows the great interest that original human conditions have always arisen in ancient authors. These papers aim at showing their views on this theme. At times they have favoured the aggressive aspects of human relations in the primordial situation, at times they have given a peaceful and cooperative picture, presenting either a progressive development of civilization or a condition of decline and regression.