228 Appendices to chapter 4 Appendix 9 - Travel and stability metaphors in the Life of Gregory of Decapolis 9a. life is a journey metaphors Ch. Passage Translation Notes on metaphor Politeia is a journey (and: making life decisions is choosing a path) 3 Συνοδοιπόροις δὲ τούτοις πρὸς ὀλίγον χρησάμενος After having occupied himself for a while with these travel-companions May be interpreted both literal and metaphorical: metaphorical as people who accompany him in his lifestyle, or literal as travel companions on the road to arrange things for his marriage. 3 δι’ ἄλλης ὁδοῦ τὸ ποθούμενον ἀνύειν κατέσπευδε He made haste, via another road, to accomplish the thing he desired Another road = changing the ‘course’ of his life, i.e. with the aim of becoming a monk 4 κατ’ οὐδὲν τῆς εὐσεβοῦς ὁδοῦ τε καὶ γνώμης πορεύεσθαι τοῦτον διεκώλυσε She in no way prevented him to travel the devout path and decision Devout path = monastic, ascetic lifestyle 22 Μείνας οὐν πα´ρ αὐτῶ οὐ συχνὰς ἡμέρας ἤλγει καὶ ἀθυμίᾳ κατείχετο, πόθεν ἆρα καὶ ποίᾳ τρίβῳ χρήσαιτο. After he had not remained with him [Mark, the hegumen of an ascetical community in Thessaloniki] for many days, he grieved and he was seized by discouragement, from where and what kind of path he should take. Possibly refers both to a literal and a metaphorical usage of τρίβος: Gregory literally does not know where to travel to, but the choice to use two interrogative words (πόθεν and ποίᾳ), emphasising Gregory’s despair, and the fact that there is no motivation provided (see pp. 130-137), suggest that the ‘path’ may also be interpreted metaphorically. Which next actions should he take, which lifestyle should he follow?
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