Ἀνὰ μέσον ἡδονῆςτε καὶ λύπης: Avidità umana e filantropia alla prova dell’oro in Diodoro

Abstract

In the Third book of his Bibliotheca, Diodorus Siculus includes an account of the Egyptian gold mines and describes the terrible living conditions of the slaves who are exploited to extract the metal. In this regard, Diodorus’ source is the historian Agatharchides of Cnidus, whose account is handed down by the Byzantine writer Photius. The comparison between the two texts allows scholars to highlight the different historical perspective of Diodorus, which privileges a worldview dominated by philanthropy and compassion for the most peripheral humanity. Further confirmation arises from the description of the Iberian mines (V 35-38), which Diodorus derives from the historian and philosopher Posidonius, who plays an important role for the methodological planning of the Bibliotheca. Through these negative ethical models, which illustrate a paradigmatic unhappiness, Diodorus aims to provide his readers with suggestions for a virtuous life.