The Path of the Sun: Pindar Olympian 2.61-62

This paper claims that Pindar's Olympian 2.61-62 refers to the astronomical equinox by showing that the equinox, and its concomitant ecliptic, the path of the sun, has a significant connection to afterlife beliefs in the ancient world, derived from the Babylonian Enuma Elish. From this perspective, the problematic terms in this eschatological passage (53-69) arise simply. The explanation proposed is that the path of the sun is a place of afterlife judgment focusing on the three-month periods centered on the equinoxes (sigma tau rho iota sigma kappa alpha tau epsilon rho omega theta iota), leading to an ascension via the planets, metaphorically climbing the tower of Saturn (pi alpha rho Kappa rho o nu omicron upsilon tau upsilon rho sigma iota nu).

Automated summary

This paper argues that Pindar's mention of astronomical equinox in Olympian 2.61-62 is connected to ancient beliefs regarding the afterlife, particularly influenced by the Babylonian Enuma Elish. The author explains that the path of the sun serves as a place of judgment and ascension after death, focusing on the three-month periods centered on the equinoxes.