La stele della pace celeste: un simbolismo metallico in Luciano (VH 1,20)

This paper focuses on the material composition of the stele that appears in Luc. VH 1,20, upon which are inscribed the peace terms between the Heliotai, inhabitants of the Sun, and the Selenitai, inhabitants of the Moon, who are involved in an interstellar war alongside Lucian and his companions. This stele, which Lucian describes as στήλη ἠλεκτρίνη, is traditionally translated as “stele of amber,” a markedly unusual material whose peculiarity modern commentators have remarked upon. This paper, however, argues that the term ἤλεκτρον should instead be understood in its other meaning, namely “electrum,” a metallic alloy composed of gold and silver. In this way, we can recover the symbolism originally intended by Lucian: gold and silver are traditionally associated with the Sun and Moon respectively. The material of the stele is designed to evoke the two kingdoms involved and their agreement, and thus becomes, through the blending of the two metals, a symbol of peace.