Eine Origo Gentis Blemmyorum in den Dionysiaka des Nonnos von Panopolis

Abstract

This article aims at an historical interpretation of a little-known passage in the Dionysiaca of Nonnos of Panopolis. It contains the story of the origin (origo gentis) of the Blemmyes, a nomadic people, which is generally associated with the South and/or East of Egypt. The interpretation and contextualisation of this text enables a different perception of the Blemmyes in Late Antiquity (5^th century).