Emperors and Rhetoricians

Panegyric, Communication, and Power in the Fourth-Century Roman Empire
1. Auflage 2023
ISBN: 978-0-520-39497-1
Verlag: University of California Press

Buch, Englisch, Band 65, 304 Seiten, Cloth Over Boards, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 235 mm, Gewicht: 622 g

Reihe: Transformation of the Classical Heritage

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.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Marcos, Moyses

Marcos, Moysés

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Alte Geschichte & Archäologie Geschichte der klassischen Antike Römische Geschichte
• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Religionsgeschichte Religionen der Antike

Inhaltsverzeichnis

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

Über Autor(innen)

Moysés Marcos is Lecturer in History at California State University, Northridge.