La figure d’Agamemnon dans les Adagiorum Chiliades d’Érasme

Abstract

Among the ancient expressions we find in the Adagiorum Chiliades of Erasmus, many are inspired by mythology. In this paper I focus on those related to Agamemnon’s personality. What arouses interest is that within these expressions and their commentaries we can clearly see the contradictions existing in respect to Agamemnon since antiquity, and Erasmus ― with his reserved criticism of the king and his differing opinions ― seems to underline these contradictions. I think that this could be explained by the fact that Agamemnon interested Erasmus as a fine example of a great king who can also have dangerous vices for his people, thus representing both an example (exemplum) and a warning (monitum).