Raffaella Cribiore
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- August 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780801452079
- eISBN:
- 9780801469084
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Cornell University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7591/cornell/9780801452079.001.0001
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, European History: BCE to 500CE
Libanius of Antioch was a rhetorician of rare skill and eloquence. So renowned was he in the fourth century that his school of rhetoric in Roman Syria became among the most prestigious in the Eastern ...
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Libanius of Antioch was a rhetorician of rare skill and eloquence. So renowned was he in the fourth century that his school of rhetoric in Roman Syria became among the most prestigious in the Eastern Empire. This book draws on the entire body of Libanius's vast literary output—including 64 orations, 1,544 letters, and exercises for his students—to offer the fullest intellectual portrait yet of this figure whom John Chrystostom called “the sophist of the city.” Libanius (314–ca. 393) lived at a time when Christianity was celebrating its triumph but paganism tried to resist. Although himself a pagan, Libanius cultivated friendships within Antioch's Christian community and taught leaders of the Church including Chrysostom and Basil of Caesarea. The book calls him a “gray pagan” who did not share the fanaticism of the Emperor Julian. The book considers the role that a major intellectual of Libanius's caliber played in this religiously diverse society and culture. When he wrote a letter or delivered an oration, who was he addressing and what did he hope to accomplish? One thing that stands out in Libanius's speeches is the startling amount of invective against his enemies. How common was character assassination of this sort? What was the subtext to these speeches and how would they have been received? The book restores Libanius to his rightful place in the rich and culturally complex world of Late Antiquity.Less
Libanius of Antioch was a rhetorician of rare skill and eloquence. So renowned was he in the fourth century that his school of rhetoric in Roman Syria became among the most prestigious in the Eastern Empire. This book draws on the entire body of Libanius's vast literary output—including 64 orations, 1,544 letters, and exercises for his students—to offer the fullest intellectual portrait yet of this figure whom John Chrystostom called “the sophist of the city.” Libanius (314–ca. 393) lived at a time when Christianity was celebrating its triumph but paganism tried to resist. Although himself a pagan, Libanius cultivated friendships within Antioch's Christian community and taught leaders of the Church including Chrysostom and Basil of Caesarea. The book calls him a “gray pagan” who did not share the fanaticism of the Emperor Julian. The book considers the role that a major intellectual of Libanius's caliber played in this religiously diverse society and culture. When he wrote a letter or delivered an oration, who was he addressing and what did he hope to accomplish? One thing that stands out in Libanius's speeches is the startling amount of invective against his enemies. How common was character assassination of this sort? What was the subtext to these speeches and how would they have been received? The book restores Libanius to his rightful place in the rich and culturally complex world of Late Antiquity.
Clive Skidmore
- Published in print:
- 1996
- Published Online:
- May 2014
- ISBN:
- 9780859894777
- eISBN:
- 9781781380673
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Liverpool University Press
- DOI:
- 10.5949/liverpool/9780859894777.001.0001
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Literary Studies: Classical, Early, and Medieval
This book presents a collection of historical anecdotes written during the reign of the Emperor Tiberius in the first century ad. The book aims to redefine the significance of the work of Valerius ...
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This book presents a collection of historical anecdotes written during the reign of the Emperor Tiberius in the first century ad. The book aims to redefine the significance of the work of Valerius Maximus, author of The Memorable Deeds of the Men of Rome and Foreign Nations. It argues that modern scholarship's view of Valerius' work as a mere source-book for rhetoricians is misconceived. The popularity of the work during the Middle Ages and Renaissance was due to its value to the readers of those times as a source of moral exhortation and guidance that was as relevant to them as it had been to Valerius' contemporaries. The wider appeal of the book lies in its examination of earlier forms of exemplary literature, in its discussion of how Roman literature was communicated to its audience, and in its original theory concerning the identity of Valerius Maximus himself.Less
This book presents a collection of historical anecdotes written during the reign of the Emperor Tiberius in the first century ad. The book aims to redefine the significance of the work of Valerius Maximus, author of The Memorable Deeds of the Men of Rome and Foreign Nations. It argues that modern scholarship's view of Valerius' work as a mere source-book for rhetoricians is misconceived. The popularity of the work during the Middle Ages and Renaissance was due to its value to the readers of those times as a source of moral exhortation and guidance that was as relevant to them as it had been to Valerius' contemporaries. The wider appeal of the book lies in its examination of earlier forms of exemplary literature, in its discussion of how Roman literature was communicated to its audience, and in its original theory concerning the identity of Valerius Maximus himself.
Florin Leonte
- Published in print:
- 2019
- Published Online:
- September 2020
- ISBN:
- 9781474441032
- eISBN:
- 9781474480666
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Edinburgh University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3366/edinburgh/9781474441032.003.0003
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Ancient Greek, Roman, and Early Christian Philosophy
The chapter argues that, unlike the ecclesiastics, the rhetoricians maintained the idea of the ruler’s omnipotence. To a certain extent, their attachment to Manuel II Palaiologos and to the imperial ...
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The chapter argues that, unlike the ecclesiastics, the rhetoricians maintained the idea of the ruler’s omnipotence. To a certain extent, their attachment to Manuel II Palaiologos and to the imperial absolutist idea can be correlated with their individual immediate concerns: the emperor was still one of the major patrons of literary activities and could also provide positions at court or other benefits deriving from his largesse. Remarkably, most of the rhetoricians’ texts added to the standard set of imperial virtues one particular image: the emperor as eloquent rhetorician and educator of both his son and his subjects. By stressing the pedagogical and the rhetorical dimension of the imperial persona, these rhetoricians reworked the old idea of the philosopher-king into an idea of emperor-rhetorician who acted as a teacher in a quest to improve his governing. Finally, their intense activity in promoting the emperor is indicative of the emperor’s efforts to cultivate court-rhetorical activities, a situation which contrasted with his father’s, John V’s, approach.Less
The chapter argues that, unlike the ecclesiastics, the rhetoricians maintained the idea of the ruler’s omnipotence. To a certain extent, their attachment to Manuel II Palaiologos and to the imperial absolutist idea can be correlated with their individual immediate concerns: the emperor was still one of the major patrons of literary activities and could also provide positions at court or other benefits deriving from his largesse. Remarkably, most of the rhetoricians’ texts added to the standard set of imperial virtues one particular image: the emperor as eloquent rhetorician and educator of both his son and his subjects. By stressing the pedagogical and the rhetorical dimension of the imperial persona, these rhetoricians reworked the old idea of the philosopher-king into an idea of emperor-rhetorician who acted as a teacher in a quest to improve his governing. Finally, their intense activity in promoting the emperor is indicative of the emperor’s efforts to cultivate court-rhetorical activities, a situation which contrasted with his father’s, John V’s, approach.
Francis Oakley
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- January 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780300194432
- eISBN:
- 9780300213799
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Yale University Press
- DOI:
- 10.12987/yale/9780300194432.003.0003
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Political Philosophy
This chapter discusses the intellectual and the educational life of the Mediterranean world during the period of late antiquity, as well as during the centuries that ensued in the medieval Latin ...
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This chapter discusses the intellectual and the educational life of the Mediterranean world during the period of late antiquity, as well as during the centuries that ensued in the medieval Latin West. The intellectual atmosphere and educational traditions in this region could be considered tension-ridden. Foremost among these conflicts was the ongoing tension between philosophical reason and biblical revelation. This tension predated the medieval centuries and persisted into the modern era. In addition, there was the tension between rhetoricians and philosophers, which could be traced from Athens of the fourth century BCE. This conflict makes its presence felt down to the present, though of late, it has functioned as a scarcely recognized factor amid the “alarms of struggle and flight.”Less
This chapter discusses the intellectual and the educational life of the Mediterranean world during the period of late antiquity, as well as during the centuries that ensued in the medieval Latin West. The intellectual atmosphere and educational traditions in this region could be considered tension-ridden. Foremost among these conflicts was the ongoing tension between philosophical reason and biblical revelation. This tension predated the medieval centuries and persisted into the modern era. In addition, there was the tension between rhetoricians and philosophers, which could be traced from Athens of the fourth century BCE. This conflict makes its presence felt down to the present, though of late, it has functioned as a scarcely recognized factor amid the “alarms of struggle and flight.”
Dennis R. MacDonald
- Published in print:
- 2003
- Published Online:
- October 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780300097702
- eISBN:
- 9780300129892
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Yale University Press
- DOI:
- 10.12987/yale/9780300097702.003.0004
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Literature
This chapter puts credence to a remark made by Cicero's interlocutor that “history is full of examples” of dreams. So common was the literary dream that rhetoricians considered it a cliche, and ...
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This chapter puts credence to a remark made by Cicero's interlocutor that “history is full of examples” of dreams. So common was the literary dream that rhetoricians considered it a cliche, and perhaps no dream was generative of more imitations than Agamemnon's in Iliad 2. The portent of the serpent and the sparrow, too, was a popular target for imitation, and some authors, like Luke in Acts 10–11, imitated both in the same context. For clarity, the chapter groups the imitations into three categories: texts that imitate the dream only, texts that imitate the portent only, and texts that imitate the dream and the portent together.Less
This chapter puts credence to a remark made by Cicero's interlocutor that “history is full of examples” of dreams. So common was the literary dream that rhetoricians considered it a cliche, and perhaps no dream was generative of more imitations than Agamemnon's in Iliad 2. The portent of the serpent and the sparrow, too, was a popular target for imitation, and some authors, like Luke in Acts 10–11, imitated both in the same context. For clarity, the chapter groups the imitations into three categories: texts that imitate the dream only, texts that imitate the portent only, and texts that imitate the dream and the portent together.
Anne Behnke Kinney
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- November 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780231163095
- eISBN:
- 9780231536080
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Columbia University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7312/columbia/9780231163095.003.0006
- Subject:
- History, Asian History
This chapter containing text from the Lienü zhuan presents biographies of fifteen women who are accomplished rhetoricians: Jing, concubine of Guan Zhong; the mother of Jiang Yi of Chu; the wife of ...
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This chapter containing text from the Lienü zhuan presents biographies of fifteen women who are accomplished rhetoricians: Jing, concubine of Guan Zhong; the mother of Jiang Yi of Chu; the wife of the bow maker of Jin; the woman of the injured locust tree of Qi; the discriminating woman of the Chu countryside; the maiden of the Mountain Valley; Juan, the woman of the Ferry of Zhao; the mother of Bi Xi of Zhao; Lady Yu of King Wei of Qi; Zhongli Chun of Qi; the lump-necked woman of Qi; the outcast orphan maid of Qi; Zhuang Zhi, the maiden of Chu; Xu Wu, a woman of Qi; and the daughter of the director of the Great Granary of Qi. These women use their rhetorical skills either to advise incompetent rulers on state policy or to extricate themselves or, more typically, a male family member from difficulties. The chapter stresses the importance of the idea of “women in the breach”; that is, women who must step in to address a situation in place of men who are either absent or incompetent.Less
This chapter containing text from the Lienü zhuan presents biographies of fifteen women who are accomplished rhetoricians: Jing, concubine of Guan Zhong; the mother of Jiang Yi of Chu; the wife of the bow maker of Jin; the woman of the injured locust tree of Qi; the discriminating woman of the Chu countryside; the maiden of the Mountain Valley; Juan, the woman of the Ferry of Zhao; the mother of Bi Xi of Zhao; Lady Yu of King Wei of Qi; Zhongli Chun of Qi; the lump-necked woman of Qi; the outcast orphan maid of Qi; Zhuang Zhi, the maiden of Chu; Xu Wu, a woman of Qi; and the daughter of the director of the Great Granary of Qi. These women use their rhetorical skills either to advise incompetent rulers on state policy or to extricate themselves or, more typically, a male family member from difficulties. The chapter stresses the importance of the idea of “women in the breach”; that is, women who must step in to address a situation in place of men who are either absent or incompetent.
