ΜΙΜΗΤΗΣ
Mimesis, the art of imitation, from Plato's condemnation as "imitation of an imitation" to Aristotle's celebration as a fundamental human function. The mimētēs, whether artist, actor, or simply an imitator of reality, stands at the core of aesthetic and philosophical thought. Its lexarithmos (606) connects to concepts of completeness and balance, reflecting the complexity of representation.
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According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, μιμητής (mimētēs, ὁ) is "an imitator, mimic, actor." This word, and the broader family of "mimesis," holds a central position in ancient Greek thought, particularly in the fields of philosophy and aesthetics. It does not merely describe an act of copying but a fundamental relationship between the original and the copy, the real and the represented.
In Platonic philosophy, the mimētēs, especially the artist (poet, painter), is viewed with skepticism. In Plato's "Republic," the mimētēs creates an "imitation of an imitation," meaning a copy of the sensible world, which is itself already a copy of the eternal Forms. Thus, the mimētēs is three removes from truth, and their art can mislead, drawing people away from knowledge. Plato believed that mimesis appeals to the lower part of the soul, provoking emotional responses rather than rational understanding.
In contrast, Aristotle, in his "Poetics," recognizes mimesis (μίμησις) as an innate human tendency and a source of learning and pleasure. For Aristotle, the mimētēs, particularly the poet, does not merely copy reality but represents it in a way that reveals the universal and the probable, offering catharsis and insight. Mimesis is not simple reproduction but creative representation that can be more "philosophical" than history, as it deals with what might happen.
Beyond philosophy, the mimētēs also refers to more practical contexts, such as the actor who mimics characters, the rhetorician who imitates models of speech, or even the student who imitates their teacher. In Christian literature, the term acquires an ethical dimension, with believers called to become "imitators" of Christ or God, i.e., to follow their example in practice.
Etymology
Cognate words include the verb «μιμέομαι» ("to imitate, represent, impersonate"), the noun «μίμησις» ("the act of imitation, representation"), «μίμημα» ("the result of imitation, a copy"), the adjective «μιμητικός» ("pertaining to imitation, capable of imitating"), and «ἀμίμητος» ("inimitable, incomparable"). All these words retain the core meaning of likeness and representation.
Main Meanings
- One who imitates, a copyist — The general sense of a person who reproduces something.
- Actor, mime — Specifically, one who impersonates roles or characters in theater or public performances.
- Artist (poet, painter, sculptor) — In philosophical discourse, the creator of artworks that represent reality.
- Disciple, follower, adherent — One who follows someone's example, especially in an ethical or spiritual context.
- One who parodies, a mocker — Someone who imitates with the purpose of ridicule or criticism.
- Representative, exponent — Someone who expresses or represents an idea, a state, or an emotion.
Word Family
μιμ- / μιμε- (root of the verb μιμέομαι)
The root μιμ- or μιμε- forms the core of a significant family of words in Ancient Greek, revolving around the concept of representation, likeness, and copying. This root, while lacking clear extra-Hellenic cognates, is highly productive within the Greek language, generating terms that cover both the act and the result of imitation, as well as its agent. Its semantic range extends from simple copying to artistic creation and the ethical imitation of exemplars.
Philosophical Journey
The concept of the mimētēs and mimesis has a long and complex history in ancient Greek thought, evolving from a simple description of copying into a central philosophical and aesthetic term.
In Ancient Texts
Three characteristic passages highlight the complexity of the concept of the mimētēs in ancient literature.
Lexarithmic Analysis
The lexarithmos of the word ΜΙΜΗΤΗΣ is 606, from the sum of its letter values:
606 decomposes into 600 (hundreds) + 6 (units).
The 18 Methods
Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΜΙΜΗΤΗΣ:
| Method | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Isopsephy | 606 | Base lexarithmos |
| Decade Numerology | 3 | 6+0+6 = 12 → 1+2 = 3 — Triad, the number of completeness and balance, reflecting the threefold nature of mimesis (original, copy, imitator) and the threefold distance from truth according to Plato. |
| Letter Count | 7 | 7 letters (M-I-M-Ē-T-Ē-S) — Heptad, the number of perfection and spirituality, suggesting the deep philosophical and religious dimension of mimesis. |
| Cumulative | 6/0/600 | Units 6 · Tens 0 · Hundreds 600 |
| Odd/Even | Even | Feminine force |
| Left/Right Hand | Right | Divine (≥100) |
| Quotient | — | Comparative method |
| Notarikon | M-I-M-Ē-T-Ē-S | Measure of Sacred Form, Least of Youth's Wisdom. |
| Grammatical Groups | 3V · 3S · 1M | 3 vowels (I, Ē, Ē), 3 semivowels (M, M, S), 1 mute (T). |
| Palindromes | Yes (numeric) | Number reads same reversed |
| Onomancy | — | Comparative |
| Sphere of Democritus | — | Divination with lunar day |
| Zodiacal Isopsephy | Mars ♂ / Libra ♎ | 606 mod 7 = 4 · 606 mod 12 = 6 |
Isopsephic Words (606)
Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon with the same lexarithmos (606) as «μιμητής» but from different roots, offering a glimpse into the numerical harmony of the Greek language.
The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 62 words with lexarithmos 606. 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, with a revised supplement. Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1996.
- Plato — Republic, Book X (595a-608b).
- Aristotle — Poetics, Chapters 1-6.
- Paul, Apostle — 1 Corinthians, 1 Thessalonians.
- Else, G. F. — Aristotle's Poetics: The Argument. Harvard University Press, 1957.
- Halliwell, S. — Aristotle's Poetics. Duckworth, 1987.
- Tate, J. — "Plato and 'Mimesis'". The Classical Quarterly, Vol. 26, No. 3/4 (Jul. - Oct., 1932), pp. 161-169.