Stoic Allegoresis: The Problem of Definition and Influence

Abstract

Controversy has been rife over the extent to which Stoic hermeneutical efforts can be categorized as “allegorical.” This paper shows that much of the disagreement arises from incommensurate definitions of allegoresis and that modern categories frequently fail to do justice to the idiosyncrasies of the Stoic perspective. Thus, this article demonstrates the usefulness of distinguishing between allegory, allegoresis, exegesis, and rationalization when classifying Stoic interpretations. Subsequently, it is argued that Stoic etymologies and exegetical comments should not be adduced as evidence against Stoic allegoresis, which further should not be anachronistically viewed in terms of the modern opposition between allegory and symbol.