Abstract In Chapter Two of Clement of Alexandria’s exhortatory Protrepticus the Christian author labels the Hellenistic poet Callimachus “the Cretan ( ὁ Κρής ).” Clement suggests this well-known figure hails from the island of Crete, despite an ancient consensus that Callimachus was born in Cyrene. What appears to be a simple error on Clement’s part is in fact a clever device aimed at bringing his reader into his intellectual approach to the Christian faith. This article explores why Clement mislabels Callimachus as “the Cretan” and how this term – delivered with an accusatory tone – adds layers of textual complexity to his simple exhortation, inviting the audience into Clement’s argument itself.
Edward Creedy (Tue,) studied this question.