ΓΕΝΟΣ o non ΓΕΝΟΣ? Un dilemma di identità nelle Supplici eschilee.

In this paper, I discuss the notion of γένος as represented in Aeschylus’ Supplices from a historical-anthropological perspective. Starting from an existential rather than essential definition of ‘identity’ and considering it as an ongoing performative process rather than a fixed result, I analyse the identifying power of the idea behind the word γένος. Hence, I discuss how the Chorus and the other characters define what is and what isn’t γένος, underlining how this notion carries multiple and sometimes even contrasting meanings. My aim is therefore to stress how one must leave aside modern mental categories to fully appreciate the polysemy of identity-related notions belonging to the past.