ΘΡΕΜΜΑΤΑ ΠΟΙΗΤΙΚΑ
Plato's concept of «θρέμματα ποιητικά» (poetic creations) as the products of mimetic poetry, which the philosopher critiques as imitations of truth and a source of emotional disturbance. Its lexarithmos (995) mathematically connects to the idea of order and creation, but also to the potential disorder that can arise from the misuse of art.
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The phrase «θρέμματα ποιητικά» (thremmata poiētika) is primarily found in the work of Plato, particularly in the «Πολιτεία» (Republic, Book X, 605c), where it is used to describe the products of mimetic poetry. Plato, through Socrates, expresses a strong critique of art that merely imitates reality, considering it a «μίμησις μιμήσεως» (imitation of an imitation), thus twice removed from the truth of the Forms.
The term «θρέμμα» (thremma, from τρέφω, trephō) literally means "that which is fed, nurtured, or reared" or "a product, a creation." «Ποιητικά» (poiētika, from ποιέω, poieō) means "creative, pertaining to poetry." Thus, the phrase translates as "poetic creations" or "products of poetry."
Plato's critique focuses on the idea that these «θρέμματα» are not based on knowledge or truth, but on appearance and the ability to stir the passions and emotions of the audience, thereby weakening reason and self-control. For Plato, mimetic poetry, instead of leading to virtue, corrupts the soul, rendering «θρέμματα ποιητικά» dangerous for the ideal state.
Etymology
The word family of the root «ποιε-» is rich and includes the verb «ποιέω» (to make, create), the noun «ποίησις» (the act of making, creation, poetry), the «ποιητής» (maker, poet), the «ποίημα» (thing made, poem), as well as various compounds and derivatives that revolve around the concept of production, construction, and artistic creation.
Main Meanings
- Products of mimetic poetry — The primary Platonic meaning, referring to the works of poets that imitate reality.
- Creations of art — A more general reference to any work resulting from artistic creation, especially poetic.
- Products of human imagination — Works not based on direct experience or reason, but on inventiveness and imagination.
- Works that influence emotions — Creations intended to arouse the passions and feelings of the audience.
- Inferior products of art (according to Plato) — The critical dimension of the term, denoting works twice removed from truth.
- Anything produced or nurtured through a creative process — A broader, metaphorical use to describe the results of any creative endeavor.
Word Family
poie- (root of the verb ποιέω, meaning "to make, create")
The root poie- constitutes one of the fundamental pillars of the Ancient Greek lexicon, expressing the concept of creation, construction, and production. From it derive words describing both manual labor and intellectual or artistic creation. Its semantic scope covers the transition from the simple act of "making" to the high art of "creating," as seen in the development of the concept of poetry and its derivatives.
Philosophical Journey
The concept of «θρέμματα ποιητικά» is inextricably linked to Platonic philosophy and its critique of art, tracing a path of influence and reinterpretation through the centuries.
In Ancient Texts
The most characteristic reference to «θρέμματα ποιητικά» is found in Plato's «Πολιτεία», where Socrates presents his critique of mimetic poetry.
Lexarithmic Analysis
The lexarithmos of the word ΘΡΕΜΜΑΤΑ ΠΟΙΗΤΙΚΑ is 995, from the sum of its letter values:
995 decomposes into 900 (hundreds) + 90 (tens) + 5 (units).
The 18 Methods
Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΘΡΕΜΜΑΤΑ ΠΟΙΗΤΙΚΑ:
| Method | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Isopsephy | 995 | Base lexarithmos |
| Decade Numerology | 5 | 9+9+5 = 23 → 2+3 = 5 — The Pentad, the number of harmony, creation, and human existence, but also of change and movement, which can be either towards truth or towards illusion. |
| Letter Count | 17 | 16 letters (ΘΡΕΜΜΑΤΑΠΟΙΗΤΙΚΑ) → 1+6 = 7 — The Heptad, the number of perfection, spiritual completion, and wisdom, which mimetic art, according to Plato, threatens to disrupt. |
| Cumulative | 5/90/900 | Units 5 · Tens 90 · Hundreds 900 |
| Odd/Even | Odd | Masculine force |
| Left/Right Hand | Right | Divine (≥100) |
| Quotient | — | Comparative method |
| Notarikon | Θ-Ρ-Ε-Μ-Μ-Α-Τ-Α Π-Ο-Ι-Η-Τ-Ι-Κ-Α | Notarikon analysis for a compound phrase like this focuses on the individual letters, without yielding a direct acrostic interpretation with semantic content. |
| Grammatical Groups | 8V · 8C | The phrase «ΘΡΕΜΜΑΤΑ ΠΟΙΗΤΙΚΑ» consists of 16 letters, of which 8 are vowels (Ε, Α, Α, Ο, Ι, Η, Ι, Α) and 8 are consonants (Θ, Ρ, Μ, Μ, Τ, Π, Τ, Κ). |
| Palindromes | No | |
| Onomancy | — | Comparative |
| Sphere of Democritus | — | Divination with lunar day |
| Zodiacal Isopsephy | Mercury ☿ / Pisces ♓ | 995 mod 7 = 1 · 995 mod 12 = 11 |
Isopsephic Words (995)
Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon with the same lexarithmos (995) as «θρέμματα ποιητικά», but of different roots, offering interesting semantic connections:
The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 96 words with lexarithmos 995. For the full catalog and AI semantic filtering, see the interactive tool.
Sources & Bibliography
- Plato — Republic, Book X, 605c.
- Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S. — A Greek-English Lexicon, with a revised supplement. Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1996.
- Aristotle — Poetics.
- Jaeger, W. — Paideia: The Ideals of Greek Culture, Vol. II: In Search of the Divine Centre. Oxford University Press, 1943.
- Guthrie, W. K. C. — A History of Greek Philosophy, Vol. IV: Plato, The Man and his Dialogues: Earlier Period. Cambridge University Press, 1975.