Gregory of Nazianzus's Letter Collection - (Christianity in Late Antiquity) (Paperback)

About the Book

"Saint Gregory of Nazianzus, also known as Gregory the Theologian, lived an illustrious life as an orator, poet, priest, and bishop. Until his death, he wrote scores of letters to friends and colleagues, clergy members and philosophers, teachers of rhetoric and literature, and high-ranking officials at the provincial and imperial levels, many of which are preserved in his self-designed letter collection. Here, for the first time in English, Bradley K. Storin has translated the complete collection, offering readers a fresh view on Gregory's life, social and cultural engagement, leadership in the church, and literary talents. Accompanying the translation are an introduction, a prosopography, and annotations that situate Gregory's letters in their biographical, literary, and historical contexts. This translation is an essential resource for scholars and students of late antiquity and early Christianity"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Saint Gregory of Nazianzus, also known as Gregory the Theologian, lived an illustrious life as an orator, poet, priest, and bishop. Until his death, he wrote scores of letters to friends and colleagues, clergy members and philosophers, teachers of rhetoric and literature, and high-ranking officials at the provincial and imperial levels, many of which are preserved in his self-designed letter collection. Here, for the first time in English, Bradley K. Storin has translated the complete collection, offering readers a fresh view on Gregory's life, social and cultural engagement, leadership in the church, and literary talents. Accompanying the translation are an introduction, a prosopography, and annotations that situate Gregory's letters in their biographical, literary, and historical contexts. This translation is an essential resource for scholars and students of late antiquity and early Christianity.

From the Back Cover

"The substantial letter collection of the late Roman bishop, philosopher, theologian, poet, orator, and ascetic Gregory of Nazianzus offers invaluable insights into the ways in which the later Roman empire worked. Among Gregory's large network of correspondents were governors, rhetoricians such as Libanius, fellow-bishops, and many influential friends. Moreover, Gregory's letters complement the contemporary collections of Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa, Libanius, and the emperor Julian. They are, in sum, a vital source for the history, culture, literature, administration, and theological evolution of the later Roman Empire. Bradley K. Storin has now translated the entire collection into an elegant English, for the first time and not a moment too soon. This is a wonderful and most welcome gift to scholars and everyone else interested in Gregory of Nazianzus and his times."--Susanna Elm, author of Sons of Hellenism, Father of the Church: Emperor Julian, Gregory of Nazianzus, and the Vision of Rome

Review Quotes

"Bradley K. Storin's work constitutes a major step forward in scholarship on Gregory's epistolary corpus."

-- "Augustiniana"

"Bradley Storin's edition of Gregory of Nazianzus' Letter Collection is an invaluable resource for English-speaking scholars of Gregory of Nazianzus and his 4th-century cultural context."

-- "Reading Religion"

"Will prove valuable not only to scholars of Gregory or ancient epistolography, but all those interested in the interdependent constructions of rhetoric, philosophy, and the self in late antiquity."-- "Ancient Jew Review"

"Just as Storin's excellent translation shows, these texts deserve to be appreciated as epistolary and editorial projects whose full meaning depends on context, audience, and arrangement."-- "Bryn Mawr Classical Review"

About the Author

Bradley K. Storin is Assistant Professor of the History of Christianity in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Louisiana State University.