About the Book
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
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
