Image: the power of deterrence and coercion

Abstract

This article underscores the crucial need to comprehend the etymological issue of the term image, particularly in comparison with the Greek terms eikón, eídolon, and Latin imago. It also delves into the image’s intimidating and coercive power, which has been harnessed for centuries. With this understanding, we aim to shed light on how these terms were employed by Homer and Virgil, capturing their unique characteristics to unravel not just the concept itself but also its linguistic implications. This will enable us to view the image not merely as a deliberate copy of the external world but as a purposeful display of strength and power that has been utilized since Antiquity by numerous cultures and continues to be effective today, as we will demonstrate.