Abstract: Heliodorus is known for his elaborate narrative technique. This effect is due to ekphrasis, a resource widely used by sophists and recommended in textbooks of rhetoric (Progymnasmata). In the first block of the work, Heliodorus uses this resource, but not randomly. There is an image, literally or metaphorically repeating itself: the labyrinth. Our intention is to demonstrate that the repetitions have a commonality, in addition to a strong hermeneutical appeal. Moreover, the labyrinths are introduced in the part where the narrative is skillfully written in medias res. It is precisely in this passage that the reader, as in a labyrinth, is meanderingly led by several paths, until he reaches the understanding of the opening scene, at the mouth of the Nile. The analysis of the procedures used by Heliodorus leads to the conclusion that the succession of textual or imagethic labyrinths places the reader in a game, from which he can only emerge at the end of the fifth book.

Résume: Héliodore est connu pour sa technique narrative élaborée. Cet effet est dû à l’ekphrasis, une ressource largement employée par les sophistes et recommandée dans les manuels de rhétorique (Progymnasmata). Dans le premier bloc de l’œuvre, Héliodore utilise cette ressource, mais pas au hasard. Il y a une image, littéral ou métaphoriquement se répète : le labyrinthe. Notre intention est de démontrer que les répétitions ont un point commun, en plus d’un fort attrait herméneutique. De plus, les labyrinthes sont introduits dans la partie où le récit est habilement écrit in medias res. C’ést précisément dans ce passage que le lecteur, comme dans un labyrinthe, est sinueusement conduit par plusieurs chemins, jusqu’à ce qu’il atteigne la compréhension de la scène d’ouverture, à l’embouchure du Nil. L’analyse des procédures utilisées par Héliodore permet de conclure que la succession de labyrinthes textuels ou imagethiques place le lecteur dans un jeu, dont il ne pourra sortir qu’à la fin du cinquième livre.

Resumo: Dentre todos as obras do gênero, o romance Etiópicas destaca-se pelas técnicas de composição nele empregadas. Seu autor, Heliodoro, possui a habilidade de inovar e surpreender o leitor, criando cenas, personagens e situações completamente únicas e originais. Tendo como fio vermelho o verbo μιαίνω, por ser recorrente na obra e sumarizar a ideia de miscigenação, enfatizamos alguns trechos do romance em que a ideia de hibridismo, de oposição de contrários ou ainda de sobreposição de elementos é utilizada. O estudo demonstra que a miscigenação, além de ser uma marca do estilo de Heliodoro, é uma técnica que suscita questionamentos acerca de convenções sociais, geográficas e culturais da época.

Abstract: Amongst all the works within the genre, the novel Aethiopica stands out for its composition techniques. In fact, the author Heliodorus shows the ability of both innovate and astonish readers, by creating scenes and characters, as well as distinguished and completely original situations. Taking the verb μιαίνω as a red string, since it is recurrently used in Heliodorus’ work and also summarizes the idea of miscegenation, some pieces of the romance in which the idea of hybridity, opposition of contraries or, still, the overlapping of elements are highlighted and used in the present study. The results show that miscegenation, besides being a sign of Helidorus’ style, is a technique that gives rise to questioning about social, geographical and cultural conventions of that time.