Self-Portrait in Three Colors

Gregory of Nazianzus's Epistolary Autobiography
1. Auflage 2019
ISBN: 978-0-520-30413-0
Verlag: University of California Press

Buch, Englisch, 276 Seiten, Cloth Over Boards, Format (B × H): 161 mm x 232 mm, Gewicht: 522 g

Reihe: Christianity in Late Antiquity

A seminal figure in late antique Christianity and Christian orthodoxy, Saint Gregory of Nazianzus published a collection of more than 240 letters. Whereas these letters have often been cast aside as readers turn to his theological orations or autobiographical poetry for insight into his life, thought, and times, Self-Portrait in Three Colors focuses squarely on them, building a provocative case that the finalized collection constitutes not an epistolary archive but an autobiography in epistolary form—a single text composed to secure his status among provincial contemporaries and later generations. Shedding light on late-ancient letter writing, fourth-century Christian intelligentsia, Christianity and classical culture, and the Christianization of Roman society, these letters offer a fascinating and unique view of Gregory’s life, engagement with literary culture, and leadership in the church. As a single unit, this autobiographical epistolary collection proved a powerful tool in Gregory’s attempts to govern the contours of his authorial image as well as his provincial and ecclesiastical legacy.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Storin, Bradley K.

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Religiöses Leben und religiöse Praxis
• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Religionsgeschichte Religionen der Antike
• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Christliche Kirchen, Konfessionen, Denominationen
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Alte Geschichte & Archäologie Geschichte der klassischen Antike Byzantinische Geschichte

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Acknowledgments
Note on Translations

1. An Epistolary Autobiography
2. The Architecture of the Letter Collection
3. “The Most Eloquent Gregory”
4. “Father of Philosophers”
5. “Basilist”

Epilogue
Abbreviations
Notes
Works Cited
Index of Gregory’s Epistulae
Index of Subjects

Über Autor(innen)

Bradley K. Storin is Assistant Professor of the History of Christianity in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Louisiana State University.