Save

“Horse and Rider He Threw into the Sea” (Exod 15:1)

The Horse as an Image of the Body and of Passion in the Alexandrian Tradition

In: Vigiliae Christianae
Author:
Albert C. Geljon Christelijk Gymnasium Utrecht Utrecht The Netherlands

Search for other papers by Albert C. Geljon in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1847-0647
Download Citation Get Permissions

Access options

Get access to the full article by using one of the access options below.

Institutional Login

Log in with Open Athens, Shibboleth, or your institutional credentials

Login via Institution

Purchase

Buy instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):

$40.00

Abstract

This article examines the use of the horse as an image of the body and of passion in the Alexandrian theological tradition. It started with Philo, who regarded the horse as a symbol of passion. Clement and Origen adopted the Philonic interpretation. Origen, who exploited the image most, saw the horse as representing the body, bodily things, irrational passions and desires of the flesh. Finally, following in Origen’s footsteps, Didymus also interpreted the horse as a figure of the body. In addition, both Origen and Didymus distinguished between the image of the horseman and that of the rider, following the example of a predecessor, whom they did not mention by name: Philo.

Content Metrics

All Time Past 365 days Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 206 84 11
Full Text Views 25 14 0
PDF Views & Downloads 185 95 1