The Evolution of Symbols in Ancient Greek Esoteric Hermeneutics

This chapter explores the concept of symbols in ancient Greek esoteric hermeneutics, tracing their evolution from clarificatory mechanisms to centers of ambiguity. It discusses how symbols were interpreted in Pythagorean and Platonist traditions, their appearance in interpretive texts during the Roman imperial period, and their significance in allegorical readings. The chapter also highlights the link between Neoplatonism and Romanticism in reinventing the idea of the symbol.