Classical myths in the work of Hipólito Unanue

Abstract

This article explores the presence of Greco-Roman mythical references in the work of Hipólito Unanue, a central figure of the Peruvian Enlightenment. The study focuses on how the author incorporates classical mythology into his scientific treatises, academic speeches, and political writings, forging a connection between Enlightenment knowledge and the cultural heritage of Antiquity. Through these references, Unanue not only enriches the explanation of natural phenomena, such as climate and earthquakes, and medical issues, such as epidemics, illnesses, and their treatments, but also deepens his reflection on Indigenous peoples, who were often misunderstood and undervalued by European discourse. These mythological allusions also serve as symbolic tools to interpret the historical events of his time, particularly the process of independence. The study reveals that Unanue uses classical tradition as both a cultural and political resource, reinterpreted from the perspective of the American context. From the Olympian gods to the Homeric heroes, the narratives and figures of the Greco-Roman mythological tradition allow Unanue to construct an Enlightenment-informed vision of science and to project a republican ideal for Peru. His prose revitalizes the classical legacy and builds a bridge between the world of Antiquity and the emerging scientific, cultural, and political horizon of the American world.