Tyche, Kairos et Kronos dans le Phocion de Plutarque

Abstract

Although the terminology employed by Plutarch to express divine influence in human affaires varies a lot, the words tyche, daimon and theos are those that he uses most frequently. In this paper, special attention is given to the action of tyche and other related concepts, precisely because they are attached mainly to fluid and unpredictable factors. The analysis focuses on the Life of Phocion, which is especially suitable for studying the way the power of divinity is exerted. Phocion had a good character as well as enjoying the benefits of a fine paideia, but despite these important qualities, he was neither capable of preventing Athens from being occupied by the Macedonian forces nor was he able to avoid his own capital punishment. Plutarch does not fail to point out that all this happens because Phocion did not live in a favourable time, and could therefore not exploit completely his own virtues. This notion of a ‘favourable time’ is explored in order to combine the concepts of kairos and chronos with that of tyche, as a means of justifying Phocion’s failures.