Against Nathan Porter: Ep.366 and the Multifaceted Use of κατασπαω

In our ongoing series against Nathan Porter's interpretation of Pseudo-Basil Ep.366, we turn to a deeper analysis of Clement of Alexandria's use of the verb κατασπαω. This verb, often translated as "to drag down" or "to overthrow," appears sparingly in ancient literature but carries significant weight in Clement's writings.

Source Text and Contextual Analysis

In Strom.1.8.41, Clement writes:

"..these are those who 'drag down the masts and weave nothing', as the text has it" (ουτοι οι τα καταρτια κατασπωντες και μηθεν υφαινοντες, φησιν η γραφη).

This phrase encapsulates Clement's critique of false teaching and its impact on the spiritual journey of believers. The weaving reference clearly alludes to Penelope's trick in Homer's Odyssey, where she unravels her weaving each night to delay choosing a suitor. Plato's Phaedo 84A uses this imagery to illustrate the futility of succumbing to pleasures and pains, akin to Penelope's endless weaving and unweaving.

However, Clement goes beyond the simple metaphor of weaving. By using κατασπαω, he invokes the image of a ship's mast being dragged down, symbolizing moral shipwreck. This dual imagery of Penelope's loom and the ship's mast illustrates the complete derailment of moral and spiritual progress.

The Dual Meaning of κατασπαω

The word κατασπαω is rare and highly specific in its usage. In Homer and other ancient texts, ιστος can mean both "loom" and "mast," allowing for wordplay and layered meanings. Artemidorus, in his Oneirocritica 3.36, highlights this dual significance:

"If anyone at sea dreams of a loom [ιστον], he should be aware that it signifies the ship's mast [καταρτιον]. And whatever happens to the loom, will also happen to the mast."

In Clement's writings, κατασπαω appears in a very specific moral and philosophical context. For instance, in the Paedagogus:

"For old men's desires [ορεξεις] are not, for the most part, stirred to such agitation as to drive them to the shipwreck of drunkenness. For being moored by reason and time, as by anchors, they stand with greater ease the storm of the passions [επιθυμιων] which rushes down from intemperance." (Paed.2.2.22)

Here, the metaphor of shipwreck is vividly connected to moral failure and loss of self-control.

Penelope and the Angels

In Ep.366, the phrase "κατασπασθεντας from heaven because of desire" directly connects the act of being dragged down with the fall of the angels due to desire. This imagery resonates with Clement's use of κατασπαω in describing the catastrophic fall from spiritual grace. The use of κατασπαω in Ep.366 fits seamlessly into Clement's broader thematic repertoire, aligning with his nuanced use of language and metaphor.

Conclusion

The beauty of the source text for Clement lies in its compression and conflation of multiple layers of meaning. The Platonic trope of Penelope's weaving represents the futility of being diverted from spiritual ascent, while the image of the mast being dragged down signifies moral and spiritual shipwreck. The use of κατασπαω ties these themes together, illustrating the profound consequences of losing focus on the divine.

Nathan Porter's interpretation, which does not consider the depth and consistency of Clement's usage, falls short of capturing the full scope of Clement's theological and philosophical intentions. By examining the nuanced use of κατασπαω, we can see that Ep.366 is best understood as a genuine piece of Clementine thought, further reinforcing the argument against its classification as a later forgery.