Families and Friends in Late Roman Cappadocia

by: Van Dam, R.

Price: 73,00 EURO

1 copy in stock

Basil of Caesarea, his brother Gregory of Nyssa, and their friend Gregory of Nazianzus were prominent churchmen in Roman Cappadocia during the later fourth century. Because of their reputations as distinguished theologians, they are now known as the Cappadocian Fathers. Recent research on Roman families and friendships has been revitalized through the use of comparative demography, Roman law, and gender studies, and the extensive writings of the Cappadocian Fathers offer a rare opportunity for a close investigation of two provincial families side by side. By examining their relationships as sons, brothers, uncles, and mutual friends, Families and Friends in Late Roman Cappadocia combines patristic studies and ecclesiastical history with cultural studies and the history of the family.None of the Cappadocian Fathers became a parent. But as sons they had to cope with their different feelings about their fathers, one who died comparatively young, the other who lived much longer than expected. Since at the same time they were formulating their doctrines about God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son, Raymond Van Dam considers whether their personal experiences might have influenced their theology. The mothers in both families were influential figures, one because of her close emotional bond with her children, the other because she controlled the family's patrimony. Macrina, the famous sister of Basil and Gregory of Nyssa, was noted for her ascetic piety. Yet these women are known almost exclusively through texts composed by their sons or brothers. Narrating the lives of women was a rhetorical strategy for men to reflect on themselves and their own concerns.Friendships were a form of self-representation, too, and in choosing their friends Basil and Gregory of Nazianzus were at the same time fashioning personal identities. At one time, their own friendship had reflected their mutual delight in classical culture. After they became churchmen, however, their friendship collapsed. At the end of his life, Gregory still cried when he thought about Basil. Their friendship had been one of the great love stories of the fourth century.

Adopting a father : Basil and Basil the Elder
"Sigh like a lover, obey like a son" : Gregory of Nazianzus and Gregory the Elder
Forgotten brothers
"The father was always the father"
"Hollow out a stone" : Nonna and Gorgonia
Her mother's cloak : Emmelia and Macrina
Was God the father married? Virginity and social extinction
"Your soul in your letter" : The emotional life of letters
Best of friends : the friends of Basil and Gregory Nazianzus
Worst of friends : the friendship of Basil and Gregory of Nazianzus
A fourth Cappadocian father

Subjects:
11.51 early Christianity
Cappadoce (Turquie) Histoire
Cappadocia (Turkey) History
Cappadocian Fathers
Cappadocische vaders
Familierelaties
History
Pères cappadociens
Roman provinces Turkey Cappadocia History
Turkey Cappadocia
Vriendschap

Families and Friends in Late Roman Cappadocia

by: Van Dam, R.

• ISBN-13: 9780812237122 / 978-0-8122-3712-2
• ISBN-03: 0812237129 / 0-8122-3712-9
• University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2003

Price: 73,00 EURO

1 copy in stock