L’ekthesis de Chariclée dans les Éthiopiques d’Héliodore

This contribution considers the exposure of a newborn infant (ekthesis) as a narrative ploy in Heliodorus’ Ethiopian History (fourth century ad). Besides being a common, almost institutional, practice in Greek cities, ekthesis is a recurring motif in Greek myth and fiction. In Heliodorus’ romance, exposure plays a key role, as may be traced in two passages (ii, 31-33 et iv, 8), which are considered here in different French translations.