Traduzioni e interpretazioni ai confini tra Grecia e India. Una rilettura di Strabone 15.1.20 alla luce delle fonti indiane e buddhiste

This paper will provide an innovative interpretation of Strab. 15.1.20 based on Indian sources, with a particular reference to Buddhist texts in Pāli and Chinese. At first, the role of linguistic interpreters following Alexander the Great’s expedition will be discussed, highlighting how some records that reached us were the result of multilingual communication. One case is that of a passage by Chares of Mytilene, who presents the odd term Soroadeios, which has been understood through an interpretatio graeca as oἰνοποιός. Thereafter, the inherent polysemy of some Indian terms will be highlighted, showing how they could be involved in the passage by Strabo. This task will involve the analysis of the Buddhist legislation regarding the prohibition of the consumption of intoxicating drinks, in addition to the testimonies regarding the concession and production of non-alcoholic juices.