1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910961114403321

Autore

Sogno Cristiana <1969->

Titolo

Q. Aurelius Symmachus : a political biography / / Cristiana Sogno

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Ann Arbor, : University of Michigan Press, c2006

ISBN

1-282-64457-2

9786612644573

0-472-02562-7

Edizione

[1st ed.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (155 p.)

Disciplina

937/.08/092

B

Soggetti

Speeches, addresses, etc., Latin - History and criticism

Letter writing, Latin - History - To 1500

Latin letters - History and criticism

Legislators - Rome

Orators - Rome

Rome History Valentinian I, 364-375 Biography

Rome History Theodosians, 379-455 Biography

Rome Politics and government 284-476

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references (p. 91-136) and index.

Nota di contenuto

Laying the foundations of a political career : the Orationes -- Rise and fall of an urban prefect : the Relationes -- Maintaining friendships, building alliances, and protecting the family : the Epistulae.

Sommario/riassunto

Symmachus was a brilliant orator, writer, and statesman, often flatly labeled as one of the last pagan senators. Cristiana Sogno offers a reconstruction of the political career of Symmachus through close analysis of his extensive writings, while also proposing a critical reevaluation of his historical importance. In contrast to traditional interpretation, Sogno's study demonstrates that Symmachus was primarily an influential politician, rather than a mere pagan zealot. By portraying the individual experience of Symmachus, the book sets forth a new approach for interpreting the political aspirations, mentality, and attitudes of Roman senators. The much-studied question of the



Christianization of the Western aristocracy has created the illusion of a Christian and a pagan aristocracy rigidly separated from each other. Through her study of Symmachus, Sogno demonstrates the primary importance of politics over religion in the public activity of the late Roman aristocracy. Although the book is specifically addressed to scholars and students of Late Antiquity, it will also be of interest to classicists, ancient historians, and non-specialists who wish to know more about this pivotal period in Roman history. Cristiana Sogno received her Ph.D. in Classics and History from Yale University. Currently she is Townsend Assistant Professor of Classics at Cornell University. Visit Professor Sogno's website at: http: //www.fordham.edu