Emperors and Rhetoricians : Panegyric, Communication, and Power in the Fourth-Century Roman Empire.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Marcos, Moysés.

Series:

Transformation of the Classical Heritage Series

Transformation of the Classical Heritage Series ; v.65

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Julian, Emperor of Rome, 331-363--Criticism and interpretation.

Julian.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (518 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Berkeley : University of California Press, 2023.

Summary:

Panegyric, the art of publicly praising prominent political figures, occupied an important place in the Roman Empire throughout late antiquity. Orators were skilled political actors who manipulated the conventions of praise giving, taking great license with what they chose to present (or omit). Their ancient speeches are rare windows into the world of panegyrists, emperors, and their audiences. In Emperors and Rhetoricians, Moysés Marcos offers an original, comprehensive look at all panegyrics to and by Julian, who in 355/56 CE promoted himself as a learned caesar by producing his own panegyric on his cousin and Augustan benefactor, Constantius II. During key stages in his public career and throughout the time he held imperial power, Julian experimented with and utilized panegyric as both political communication and political opportunity. Marcos expertly mines this vast body of work to uncover a startlingly new picture of Julian the Apostate, explore anew the arc of his career in imperial office, and model new ways to interpret and understand imperial speeches of praise.

Contents:

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Contents

List of Illustrations

Preface and Acknowledgments

List of Abbreviations

Maps

Introduction. Emperors, Rhetoricians, and Panegyric

(Re)constructing Julian

The Panegyrist-Caesar at Work

Praise-Giving, Philosophy, Politics, and Genre

Reading Panegyrics: Methodology

Communication and Power: Panegyric as Political Prose

Praise Operationalized

1. Panegyric, Paideia, and the (De)construction of the Emperor's Image and Power: Themistius, Julian, and Constantius, ca. 350-356 CE

A Literary and Political Apparitor: Themistius as Panegyrist and Senator

A Political and Literary Apparitor: Julian as Caesar and Panegyrist

Conclusion

2. Panegyric, Diplomacy, and (Self-)Presentation: Julian, Themistius, and Constantius in the West, 357-359

Eusebia and Constantius: Binary Praise, Communication, and Patronage

Representing Constantinople: Constantius and Themistius at Rome

Venturing on Self-Glorification: Julian as Caesar and Self-Promoter

3. Laudatiua Materia : Panegyric, History, and Legitimization in a Period of Imperial Transition, 360-361

Res gestae: Between History and Panegyric

Confronting Constantius: The Epistle as Apology, Polemic, Autobiography, and Auto-Panegyric

4. Panegyric, Consensus, and the Reinforcement of Nascent Government: Claudius Mamertinus, Himerius, and Julian in Constantinople, 361-362

The Native Son Returns: Reconciling the West and the East after Civil War

Himerius and Julian: Refounding Constantinople and Relating New Policy

5. Panegyric, Promotion, Punishment, and Advisement: Libanius and Julian in Antioch, 362-363

Administering the East by Epistle-Edicts

Libanius and Julian: Curating and Promoting New Policy.

Administering Antioch: Emperor, Populace, and (Lack of) Consensus

Conclusion. Emperors, Rhetoricians, and the Usefulness of Praise

Appendix A. The Date of Themistius's Oration 1

Appendix B. Julian, an Experienced Soldier before His Promotion to Caesar?

Appendix C. The Date of Julian's Oration 1

Appendix D. Some Emperors' Residencies at and Responses to Antioch

Works Cited

Index.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Other Format:

Print version: Marcos, Moysés Emperors and Rhetoricians

ISBN:

9780520394988

OCLC:

1406410361