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Themistius was a philosopher, a prominent Constantinopolitan senator, and an adviser to Roman emperors during the fourth century A.D.
In this first translation of Themistius's private orations to be published in English, Robert J. Penella makes accessible texts that shed significant light on the culture of Constantinople and, more generally, the eastern Roman empire during the fourth century. The sixteen speeches translated here are equipped with ample annotations and an informative introduction, making them a valuable resource on the late antique period, as well as on Greek intellectual history and oratory.
In Themistius's public orations, he played the role of imperial panegyrist, but in the "private" or unofficial orations presented here, the senator concerns himself with apologetics, rhetorical and philosophical programs, material of autobiographical interest, and ethical themes. The speeches are valuable as evidence for the political, social, philosophical, religious, and literary history of fourth century Byzantium, and as examples of pagan ideology and eloquence in the newly Christianized court. Themistius argues, among other things, that the philosopher should be involved in public affairs, that the lessons of philosophy should be broadcast to the masses, and that it is appropriate for the philosopher to be an effective orator in order to circulate his teachings.
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George Dean
reviewed The Private Orations of Themistius on December 09, 2019
The Private Orations of Themistius
Uno de los libros de ensayo menos meritorios de Stevenson, no sé si por carecer de tema común o por presentarse como recopilación de textos de origen dispar. Lo mejor lo encontramos en las evocaciones del autor de diferentes momentos de su vida, ya sea cuando conforman la parte central del contenido ("Recuerdos de un islote" y "La casa del predicador" son lo mejor del volumen) como cuando dejan su rastro anecdótico ("Pastoral" o "Un viejo jardinero escocés", por citar otras dos que me han gustado). Stevenson habla entonces con voz dulce y algunos pasajes desprenden una ternura que pone de relieve la naturaleza humana del genio. Sin duda, el conjunto de estos fragmentos constituye una suerte de legado autobiográfico y su valor es incalculable.
Los demás ensayos están demasiado circunscritos a la contemporaneidad del autor como para resultar interesantes. A excepción de que uno sea escocés o inglés ("El extranjero en casa", "Recuerdos de universidad") o aficionado a la crÃtica literaria ("Un cotilleo sobre una novela de Dumas", "Un cotilleo sobre el relato novelesco", "Una humilde protesta"; los tres plagados de mil referencias a autores hoy sepultados bajo el polvo del olvido) entrar en sintonÃa con estos otros ejercicios de escritura es tarea imposible.
Me quedo con los recuerdos antes que con las semblanzas. Recomendable solo a completistas e incondicionales.
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Add The Private Orations of Themistius, Themistius was a philosopher, a prominent Constantinopolitan senator, and an adviser to Roman emperors during the fourth century A.D. In this first translation of Themistius's private orations to be published in English, Robert J. Penella makes access, The Private Orations of Themistius to the inventory that you are selling on WonderClubX
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Add The Private Orations of Themistius, Themistius was a philosopher, a prominent Constantinopolitan senator, and an adviser to Roman emperors during the fourth century A.D. In this first translation of Themistius's private orations to be published in English, Robert J. Penella makes access, The Private Orations of Themistius to your collection on WonderClub |