The fragmentary interpretation of Heliodorus’ Aethiopica attributed to ‘Philip the Philosopher’: The topographical evidence

ABSTRACT: This article argues, largely on the basis of Procopius Aed . 4.8.4–7 and 10–17, that the topographical setting of the fragmentary Interpretation of Heliodorus’ Aethiopica , most probably composed by Philip Philagathos of Cerami in the twelfth century, was undoubtedly the countryside to the west of Constantinople, which included the popular holiday resorts of Rhegium and Pege. The article concludes that the topographical setting of the Interpretation , while featuring historical places, is literary, emulating the pseudo-Platonic dialogue Axiochus , but relocating it from Attica to the hinterland of Constantinople. Such an idyllic setting would have appealed to Philip’s readership at a time in which allegorical exegesis and ancient narrative fiction were popular in South Italy.