Since the remotest antiquity a thick mythopoietic cluster has been granted to the bull. is has made it – together with the lion and the snake – the most relevant animal of the symbolic bestiary. e bull theme pervades ancient culture, from the imposing, remote bulls decorating Paleolithic caves to myths like the Minotaur and the Labyrinth, from the many bull gods to the heroes who, like Gilgamesh, show their utmost greatness by killing a bull, and it is presented in deeply meaningful connections, being associated with sacri ce, blood, and wine. In order to understand, or, rather, partly unravel this thick and compact cultural cluster it is necessary rst of all to remember that the mythological bull is strongly connected with the wild ancestor of the bovines, the Bos primigenius or urus, which – enormous and awe-inspiring – embodied the idea of regal power and male force better than any other animal. But it is also necessary to keep in mind that the mythological bull is not merely a terrestrial one: Taurus, the zodiac constellation that in ancient times marked the Spring equinox, is also of paramount importance in order to decipher the bull symbolism and it allows us to comprehend some of its aspects which otherwise might remain utterly obscure.

Il toro, il cielo, il re. La lunga vita dei motivi mitologici taurini

DONA', Carlo
2016-01-01

Abstract

Since the remotest antiquity a thick mythopoietic cluster has been granted to the bull. is has made it – together with the lion and the snake – the most relevant animal of the symbolic bestiary. e bull theme pervades ancient culture, from the imposing, remote bulls decorating Paleolithic caves to myths like the Minotaur and the Labyrinth, from the many bull gods to the heroes who, like Gilgamesh, show their utmost greatness by killing a bull, and it is presented in deeply meaningful connections, being associated with sacri ce, blood, and wine. In order to understand, or, rather, partly unravel this thick and compact cultural cluster it is necessary rst of all to remember that the mythological bull is strongly connected with the wild ancestor of the bovines, the Bos primigenius or urus, which – enormous and awe-inspiring – embodied the idea of regal power and male force better than any other animal. But it is also necessary to keep in mind that the mythological bull is not merely a terrestrial one: Taurus, the zodiac constellation that in ancient times marked the Spring equinox, is also of paramount importance in order to decipher the bull symbolism and it allows us to comprehend some of its aspects which otherwise might remain utterly obscure.
2016
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11570/3107627
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