SOSPESI TRA DUE MONDI. MODULAZIONI DEL RACCONTO ONIRICO NEI PAPIRI DEL RECLUSO TOLOMEO

Abstract

This paper explores the interaction between Greeks and Egyptians in Ptole-maic Egypt through the language of the dream reports by Ptolemaios, a recluse in Memphis Serapeum, where evidence is found of an original mixing between Greek and local elements. Interestingly, only in these documents does Ptolemaios – who is presumably bilingual – switch between Greek and Demotic. Moreover, the dream narrative mode does not entirely match the classical pattern, but it displays meaningful similarities with other post-classical Greek texts with an Egyptian background, such as the story of Joseph in the Septuagint. Innovative forms of expression thus arise in the language of the Greek-Egyptian world.