Emperors and Rhetoricians (eBook)

Panegyric, Communication, and Power in the Fourth-Century Roman Empire

Moysés Marcos (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2023
304 Seiten
University of California Press (Verlag)
9780520394988 (ISBN)

Infos

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.

Inhalt

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 
Conclusion 

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 
Conclusion 

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 
Conclusion 

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 
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 

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 12.12.2023
• Reihe/Serie: Transformation of the Classical Heritage
• Reihe/Serie: Transformation of the Classical Heritage
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Geschichte / Politik ► Vor- und Frühgeschichte / Antike
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Geschichte
• Schlagworte: 4th century BC • Audience • Claudius Mamertinus • Constantinople • discourse • Doublespeak • Genre • Himerius • Imperial • late roman speeches • Laudator • Libanius • Oration • panegyrists • Political culture • Politics • power of praise • Senate • Themistius • usurpers
• ISBN-13: 9780520394988 / 9780520394988