Classical Greek Poetry and the Acts of the Apostles: Imitations of Euripides’ Bacchae

Abstract

The author of the book convinces that the most misunderstood aspect of the composition of Luke-Acts is its brilliant use of models from classical Greek literature, Homer, Euripides, and Plato. This chapter contributes to the investigation of Luke's indebtedness to Greek literature of the fifth century BCE by monitoring the influence of one Greek tragedy throughout Acts: the Bacchae . It begins with discussion of Acts 16 and the conversion of Lydia from Lydia, a Christian Maenad, whom Paul found with other women worshipping outside the city. The criteria required in order to identify and defend mimetic connections between Acts and classical Greek literature is also described. Finally this chapter argues for an extensive use of the Bacchae, but similar studies are possible with respect to other Greek writings that by Luke's day comprised the encyclion paideia . Keywords: Bacchae ; classical Greek literature; Euripides; Luke-act; Lydia