Aspects of paideia in Synesius' Dion

Michiel Op de Coul

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionScientificpeer-review

Abstract

In the Dion, Synesius has left us a self-portrait in which facts and fiction are intermingled in a way reminiscent of the literary devices of the Second Sophistic in general and of one of its principal representatives, Dio of Prusa, in particular. This article proposes a reading of the treatise which takes into account relevant historical as well as rhetorical parameters, and yields the conclusion that the classical ideal of paideia, as expressed by the philosopher-bishop, was not under threat by the new religion; on the contrary, this tradition was enriched and inspired by Christianity, so that it came to encompass the best of both worlds. 
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSynesios von Kyrene: Politik – Literatur – Philosophie, ed. by Helmut Seng and Lars Hoffmann
Place of PublicationTurnhout
PublisherBrepols
Pages110-124
ISBN (Print)978-2-503-54662-9
Publication statusPublished - 2012
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameStudies in Byzantine History and Civilization
Publisher(SBHC-6)
Volume6

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