The Letters of Libanius from the Age of Theodosius

Libanius of Antioch (AD 314-93), teacher, rhetorician and eloquent exponent of Greek paideia, was one of the most prolific letter writers of late antiquity with more than 1500 surviving letters from an even greater total. This volume contains the first English-language translation of all the letters written between 388 and 393, which provide insights both into his professional and personal circumstances and the changes taking place in the political, religious and social environment of the late fourth century. The letters, while fulfilling many of the usual functions of late antique correspondence as vehicles in creating or maintaining friendship networks, promoting relationships with men in power, supporting rhetoric and Hellenic learning and seeking favours for his friends, students, and protégés, also reveal Libanius' reaction to his circumstances at the end of his life -- his waning influence as a teacher, the hostility directed towards him by factions in Antioch and in Constantinople, the loss of friends and loved ones, in particular his son, and his ill health and impending mortality. -- from the back cover Cover Contents Acknowledgements Abbreviations Glossary A Note on Documentation A Note on the Translation, Commentary and Appendices A Note on our Dating of the Later Letters (388–93) General Introduction I. A Brief Life of Libanius II. Libanius’ Letters III. The Dynastic Background to Theodosius’ Reign IV. Libanius and the Imperial Government after Julian V. Panegyric and Invective VI. The Riot of the Statues in 387 VII. The Accusations of 387–88: Thrasydaeus VIII. The Accusations of 387–88: The Anonymous Comes and the Old Informer IX. The Accusations of 387–88: Romulus and the Charge of Illegal Divination X. Antioch’s Embassies of 388 XI. The Attempt to Rescind the Curial Immunity of Eusebius the Sophist XII. The Failed Attempt of Thalassius to Enter the Senate XIII. Relations Between Libanius and Proculus XIV. The Failed Attempt of Cimon to Enter the Senate XV. The Emergence of Libanius’ Young Kinsman, Aristaenetus XVI. Old Age, Ill Health and Grief XVII. The Later Corpus in the Manuscripts The Letters of Libanius from the Age of Theodosius (840–1112) Appendix 1: Translations of Letters Preserved Outside the Corpus (F2, 9, 18) Appendix 2:Prosopographical Index to the Late Corpus (388–93) Appendix 3: Timeline of Events, 387–393 Appendix 4:Dating the Letters of the Later Corpus Bibliography Index Libanius of Antioch (AD 314-93), teacher, rhetorician and eloquent exponent of Greek paideia, was one of the most prolific letter writers of late antiquity with more than 1500 surviving letters from an even greater total. This volume contains the first English-language translation of all the letters written between 388 and 393, which provide insights both into his professional and personal circumstances and the changes taking place in the political, religious and social environment of the late fourth century. The letters, while fulfilling many of the usual functions of late antique correspondence as vehicles in creating or maintaining friendship networks, promoting relationships with men in power, supporting rhetoric and Hellenic learning and seeking favours for his friends, students, and protégés, also reveal Libanius' reaction to his circumstances at the end of his life -- his waning influence as a teacher, the hostility directed towards him by factions in Antioch and in Constantinople, the loss of friends and loved ones, in particular his son, and his ill health and impending mortality. -- from the back cover