The Birth of the Symbol: Peter Struck on Ancient Greek Esoteric Hermeneutics

In this episode of The Secret History of Western Esotericism podcast, Earl Fontainelle interviews Professor Peter Struck about his book, "The Birth of the Symbol, Ancient Readers at the Limits of Their Texts." The discussion revolves around key Greek terms like Symbolon and Enigma and their significance in Western esotericism and allegorical literary tradition. They explore how these terms evolved from their original meanings to become central to understanding hidden messages in texts, particularly in Homer's works. The conversation traces the use of these terms from pre-Socratic philosophers through Plato and the Neoplatonists, examining how figures like Porphyry and Proclus interpreted Homer and Plato. The discussion also touches on the evolution of Symbolon into the modern concept of symbolism and the role of authorial intention in interpreting ancient texts.