Emperors and Rhetoricians

Panegyric, Communication, and Power in the Fourth-Century Roman Empire

Moysés Marcos

• Publisher: University of California Press
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN: 9780520394971
• eBook ISBN: 9780520394988
• Edition: 1
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Ancient History
• Index: History

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.

Table of contents

• Imprint
• Subvention
• Series Page
• Title
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• List of Illustrations
• Preface and Acknowledgments
• List of Abbreviations
• Maps
• Introduction. Emperors, Rhetoricians, and Panegyric
• 1. Panegyric, Paideia, and the (De)construction of the Emperor’s Image and Power: Themistius, Julian, and Constantius, ca. 350–356 CE
• 2. Panegyric, Diplomacy, and (Self-)Presentation: Julian, Themistius, and Constantius in the West, 357–359
• 3. Laudatiua Materia : Panegyric, History, and Legitimization in a Period of Imperial Transition, 360–361
• 4. Panegyric, Consensus, and the Reinforcement of Nascent Government: Claudius Mamertinus, Himerius, and Julian in Constantinople, 361–362
• 5. Panegyric, Promotion, Punishment, and Advisement: Libanius and Julian in Antioch, 362–363
• 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
• Notes
• Works Cited
• Index