The Aristotelian Roots of Hellenistic Poetic Theory-Melike Molacı

As part of the Departmental Seminar Series, which is open to graduate students and department staff, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Melike Molacı delivered a presentation titled “The Aristotelian Roots of Hellenistic Poetic Theory” on 27 October 2026 at 11:30 a.m. in the Prof. Dr. Erdal Baykan Seminar Hall. Addressing the relationship between innate talent and genius, on the one hand, and rules, education, and technique in poetic creativity, on the other, Dr. Molacı examined the transformation of poetic theory from the Peripatetic tradition to Horace, drawing on Porphyry’s guidance and Philodemus’s critiques. The presentation explored the influence of the Aristotelian understanding of poetry on later thinkers through three fundamental layers theorized by Neoptolemus. First, in the context of poiēma, the role of style, clarity (saphēneia), and appropriateness to circumstances or character (prepon) in shaping poetic language was discussed. Next, within the framework of poiēsis, the presentation examined how Aristotle’s account in the Poetics of intelligible organic magnitude (megethos/eumnēmoneuton), which he related to human perception and memory, and of unity of action was received by later thinkers, particularly with regard to the need to constrain boundless imagination. Finally, through the concept of poiētēs, the discussion turned to the conception of the poet shaped by Aristotle’s lost dialogue On Poets, examining how later thinkers approached the relationship between innate, raw genius (ingenium/physis) and artistic education (ars/techne), as well as the balance expressed by utile dulci (usefulness and pleasure). We thank our speaker for her presentation and all participants for their valuable contributions.