ΜΙΜΗΣΙΣ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΚΗ
Mimesis politike, a pivotal term in ancient Greek political philosophy, describes the representation or embodiment of a polis's principles by its citizens, as well as the idea that the polis itself is an imitation of an ideal model. In Plato, mimesis is often linked to distance from the truth of the Forms, while in Aristotle, especially in the «Politics», mimesis politike refers to the way of life that shapes a city's identity. Its lexarithmos (1036) suggests the complexity and comprehensive nature of political representation.
REPORT ERRORDefinition
According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, mimesis (from mimeomai) primarily means "imitation, representation, portrayal." In classical Greek thought, the concept of mimesis acquired diverse and profound philosophical dimensions, extending beyond mere copying. Specifically, the term "mimesis politike" refers to political philosophy, predominantly in Aristotle.
In Plato, mimesis often carries a negative connotation, as art imitates the sensible world, which in turn imitates the eternal Forms, rendering art a "mimesis of mimesis" and thus twice removed from truth. However, Plato also acknowledges a positive form of mimesis, such as the imitation of virtues or the polis's endeavor to imitate its ideal form.
In Aristotle, mimesis is fundamental to understanding art (especially in the «Poetics», where tragedy is a mimesis of action) and politics. "Mimesis politike" in Aristotle's «Politics» is not merely the copying of a political system but the embodiment and representation of a specific way of life (bios) by the citizens. The politeia, as a "mimesis of life," shapes the characters and actions of its citizens, making mimesis a central factor in ethical and political education.
Etymology
From this root derive words covering a wide range of applications of imitation, from artistic representation to political and ethical behavior. The verb "mimeomai" constitutes the primary expression of the act of imitation, while the noun "mimos" refers to the imitator or actor. "Mimema" denotes the result of imitation, namely the copy or portrayal. Other cognate words, such as "mimetes" and "mimetikos," describe the agent and the quality of imitation respectively, extending the root's meaning across various domains of human activity and thought.
Main Meanings
- Representation, Portrayal — The general sense of mimesis as the creation of a likeness or image, often in art and literature.
- Imitation as an Educational Process — Mimesis as a method of learning and adopting patterns of behavior or skills, particularly in education and moral formation.
- Philosophical Mimesis (Plato) — The representation of the sensible world as an imitation of the eternal and immaterial Forms, with art being a "mimesis of mimesis."
- Imitation of Action (Aristotle) — Mimesis as the essence of poetic art, especially in tragedy, where human actions and characters are represented.
- Political Mimesis (Aristotle) — The idea that the politeia (constitution) is an imitation or embodiment of a specific way of life (bios) by the citizens of the city.
- Imitation of Nature — The endeavor of arts or human activities to reproduce or follow the patterns and laws of nature.
- Rhetorical Mimesis — The imitation of patterns of speech, style, and arguments from earlier rhetoricians or authors for the development of rhetorical skill.
Word Family
mim- (root of the verb mimeomai)
The root "mim-" lies at the core of a family of words expressing the concept of representation, portrayal, and imitation. Its origin traces back to the oldest stratum of the Greek language, with no clear indications of external borrowings. The meaning of the root focuses on the act of "gignesthai homoion" or "poiein homoion," i.e., to become or to make something similar to a model. Each member of the family develops one aspect of the root: the verb expresses the action, the noun the quality or result, the adjective the attribute.
Philosophical Journey
The concept of mimesis, and particularly political mimesis, has a long and complex history in ancient Greek thought, evolving from simple representation into a central philosophical and political term.
In Ancient Texts
Three of the most significant passages highlighting the concept of mimesis in ancient Greek thought:
Lexarithmic Analysis
The lexarithmos of the word ΜΙΜΗΣΙΣ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΚΗ is 1036, from the sum of its letter values:
1036 decomposes into 1000 (hundreds) + 30 (tens) + 6 (units).
The 18 Methods
Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΜΙΜΗΣΙΣ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΚΗ:
| Method | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Isopsephy | 1036 | Base lexarithmos |
| Decade Numerology | 1 | 1+0+3+6 = 10 → 1+0 = 1 — Unity, beginning, the uniqueness of the political model. |
| Letter Count | 16 | 15 letters (MIMESIS POLITIKE) → 1+5 = 6 — Perfection, harmony, the number of creation and balance in the polis. |
| Cumulative | 6/30/1000 | Units 6 · Tens 30 · Hundreds 1000 |
| Odd/Even | Even | Feminine force |
| Left/Right Hand | Right | Divine (≥100) |
| Quotient | — | Comparative method |
| Notarikon | M-I-M-E-S-I-S P-O-L-I-T-I-K-E | Measure of Imitation's Moral Strength, Polis's Orderly Life, Ideal Justice, Ethical Governance – an interpretive approach highlighting the dimensions of political mimesis. |
| Grammatical Groups | 7V · 8C | 7 vowels and 8 consonants. The number 7 is associated with spirituality and perfection, while the number 8 with balance and completeness, indicating the comprehensive nature of political representation. |
| Palindromes | No | |
| Onomancy | — | Comparative |
| Sphere of Democritus | — | Divination with lunar day |
| Zodiacal Isopsephy | Moon ☽ / Leo ♌ | 1036 mod 7 = 0 · 1036 mod 12 = 4 |
Isopsephic Words (1036)
Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon with the same lexarithmos (1036) but different roots, offering interesting conceptual connections:
The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 87 words with lexarithmos 1036. For the full catalog and AI semantic filtering, see the interactive tool.
Sources & Bibliography
- Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S. — A Greek-English Lexicon, 9th ed. with revised supplement. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1996.
- Plato — Republic. Translated by G. M. A. Grube, revised by C. D. C. Reeve. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1992.
- Aristotle — Poetics. Translated by S. H. Butcher. New York: Dover Publications, 1951.
- Aristotle — Politics. Translated by C. D. C. Reeve. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1998.
- Else, G. F. — Aristotle's Poetics: The Argument. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1957.
- Hall, E. — The Theatrical Cast of Athens: Interactions between Ancient Greek Drama and Society. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006.
- Salkever, S. G. — Finding the Mean: Theory and Practice in Aristotelian Political Philosophy. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1990.