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.
By:
Moysés Marcos
Imprint: University of California Press
Country of Publication: United States
Volume: 65
Dimensions:
Height: 229mm,
Width: 152mm,
Spine: 28mm
Weight: 635g
ISBN: 9780520394971
ISBN 10: 0520394976
Series: Transformation of the Classical Heritage
Pages: 304
Publication Date: 08 March 2024
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
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
Moysés Marcos is Lecturer in History at California State University, Northridge.
Reviews for Emperors and Rhetoricians: Panegyric, Communication, and Power in the Fourth-Century Roman Empire
""Emperors and Rhetoricians serves as an intriguing examination of the communicative strategies of Roman regimes and elites in the middle of the fourth century, and a useful reconsideration of the public presentation and career of Julian in particular."" * Bryn Mawr Classical Review *
