The Private Orations of Themistius (Transformation of the Classical Heritage) (Hardback)
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all these other countries) Usually dispatched within 72 hours | |Short Description for The Private Orations of Themistius Themistius was a philosopher, a prominent Constantinopolitan senator, and an adviser to Roman emperors during the 4th century A D. This work focuses on the culture of Constantinople and the eastern Roman empire during the fourth century. It provides a resource on the late antique period, as well as on Greek intellectual history and oratory.
Full description- Publisher: University of California Press
- Published: 01 November 1999
- Format: Hardback 271 pages
- See: Full bibliographic data
- Categories: Semantics | General & World History | Ancient History: To C 500 CE | Classical History / Classical Civilisation | Western Philosophy: Ancient, To C 500
- ISBN 13: 9780520218215 ISBN 10: 0520218213
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Full description for The Private Orations of Themistius
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' 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' 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.
