Epimenides of Crete: Some Notes on his Life, Works and the Verse «Κρῆτες ἀεὶ ψεῦσται

Resumen

This paper analyzes some thoughts regarding Epimenides' life and works in the light of the literary fragments and testimonies which have been preserved. The Cretan priest, healer, purifier and prophet was attributed by the ancients qualities of a superhuman being. This is probably because of his very early and unusually long life and due to the ancient belief that his homeland, Crete, was a sacred place. Epimenides is known through his epic poetry, mythological works and local histories of Crete. He was also viewed by later sources as the author of the controversial saying «Cretans are ever liars». Here, an examination of various interpretations of this verse is presented.