The private orations of Themistius / translated, annotated, and introduced by Robert J. Penella.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Themistius, author.

Contributor:

Penella, Robert J., translator.

American Council of Learned Societies.

Series:

Transformation of the classical heritage ; Volume 29.

Transformation of the Classical Heritage Series ; Volume 29

Standardized Title:

Speeches. English

Language:

English

Greek, Ancient (to 1453)

Subjects (All):

Themistius--Trnslations into English.

Themistius.

Speeches, addresses, etc., Greek--Translations into English.

Speeches, addresses, etc., Greek.

Rome--History--Theodosius I, the Great, 379-395--Sources.

Rome.

Rome--History--Constantius II, 337-361--Sources.

Rome--History--Julian, 361-363--Sources.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xiii, 258 p. )

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Berkeley, California : University of California Press, [2000]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Themistius was a philosopher, a prominent Constantinopolitan senator, and an adviser to Roman emperors during the fourth century A.D. In this first translation of Themistius's private orations to be published in English, Robert J. Penella makes accessible texts that shed significant light on the culture of Constantinople and, more generally, the eastern Roman empire during the fourth century. The sixteen speeches translated here are equipped with ample annotations and an informative introduction, making them a valuable resource on the late antique period, as well as on Greek intellectual history and oratory. In Themistius's public orations, he played the role of imperial panegyrist, but in the "private" or unofficial orations presented here, the senator concerns himself with apologetics, rhetorical and philosophical programs, material of autobiographical interest, and ethical themes. The speeches are valuable as evidence for the political, social, philosophical, religious, and literary history of fourth century Byzantium, and as examples of pagan ideology and eloquence in the newly Christianized court. Themistius argues, among other things, that the philosopher should be involved in public affairs, that the lessons of philosophy should be broadcast to the masses, and that it is appropriate for the philosopher to be an effective orator in order to circulate his teachings.

Contents:

Front matter

Contents

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Chronology of the Translated Orations

Introduction: Themistius and His Orations

Oration 20. A Funeral Oration in Honor of His Father

Oration 21. The Examiner [fiaoaviorris], or, The Philosopher

Oration 22. On Friendship

Oration 23. The Sophist

Oration 24. An Exhortation to the Nicomedians

Oration 25. In Reply to One Who Asked for an Extempore Oration

Oration 26. < On Speaking, or, How the Philosopher Should Speak >

Oration 27. On the Need to Give Thought, Not to Where [We Study] but to the Men [Who Will Teach Us]

Oration 28. The Disquisition on Speaking

Oration 29. In Reply to Those Who Interpret [His Oration] "The Sophist" Incorrectly

Oration 30. Should One Engage in Farming?

Oration 31. Concerning His Presidency [of the Senate], Addressed to the Senate [of Constantinople]

Oration 32. On Moderation of One's Emotions [Meτρioπαθήs], or, On Love of One's Children

Oration 33. [Title Lost]

Oration 34. In Reply to Those Who Found Fault with Him for Accepting Public Office

Appendix 1. Oration 17

Appendix 2. Fragment on "The Knowledge of Knowledges"

Appendix 3. The Demegoria Constantii

Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 28. Okt 2020)

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9780520922709

0520922700

9780585357096

0585357099

OCLC:

1202625645