Libanius
A Critical Introduction

The first comprehensive volume on Libanius, this book provides an essential, innovative introduction to one of late antiquity's key authors.

Lieve Van Hoof (Edited by)

9781107013773, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 25 September 2014

404 pages, 5 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.4 cm, 0.7 kg

A professor of Greek rhetoric, frequent letter writer and influential social figure, Libanius (AD 314–393) is a key author for anybody interested in late antiquity, ancient rhetoric, ancient epistolography and ancient biography. Nevertheless, he remains understudied because it is such a daunting task to access his large and only partially translated oeuvre. This volume, which is the first comprehensive study of Libanius, offers a critical introduction to the man, his texts, their context and reception. Clear presentations of the orations, progymnasmata, declamations and letters unlock the corpus, and a survey of all available translations is provided. At the same time, the volume explores new interpretative approaches of the texts from a variety of angles. Written by a team of established as well as upcoming experts in the field, it substantially reassesses works such as the Autobiography, the Julianic speeches and letters, and Oration 30 For the Temples.

Introduction. Libanius at the margins Lieve van Hoof
1. Libanius' Life and life Lieve Van Hoof
2. The historical context: the rhetorical use of suffering in Libanius' Monodies, Letters and Autobiography Edward Watts
3. The rhetorical context: traditions and opportunities Raffaella Cribiore
4. Libanius' Orations Pierre-Louis Malosse
5. Libanius' Declamations Robert J. Penella
6. Libanius' Progymnasmata Craig A. Gibson
7. Libanius' Letters Bernadette Cabouret
8. The reception of Libanius: from Pagan friend of Julian to (almost) Christian saint and back Heinz-Günther Nesselrath and Lieve Van Hoof
9. Emperors and Empire in Libanius Hans-Ulrich Wiemer
10. Libanius' networks Scott Bradbury
11. Libanius and the literary tradition Heinz-Günther Nesselrath
12. Libanius and the 'game' of Hellenism Jan R. Stenger
13. Not the last Pagan: Libanius between elite rhetoric and religion Peter Van Nuffelen
Epilogue. Libanius at the centre
Appendices. Survey of (translations of) Libanius' works: A. Hypotheseis
B. Progymnasmata
C. Declamations
D. Orations
E. Letters.

Subject Areas: Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1], Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB]