The article aims at analysing the concept of thauma, especially with reference to the canonical interpretation of this term, translated as «astonishment». Despite the success of such an interpretation, it is impossible to ignore the presence of a further hermeneutic solution, which deviates from the traditional one: Emanuele Severino’s translation of term thauma as «pain» or «terror». What historical-theoretical legitimacy can be attributed to the most recent interpretative tendency? After presenting the canonical interpretation, I will tackle the problems that are intrinsic to the «severinian» conception. Finally, although seemingly incompatible at first sight, I will try to identify a meeting point between the two perspectives