Self-portrait in three colors : Gregory of Nazianzus's epistolary autobiography /

Self-portrait in three colors : Gregory of Nazianzus's epistolary autobiography /

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Bibliographic Details
Author / Creator:	Storin, Bradley K., author.
Imprint:	Oakland, California : University of California Press, [2019]
Description:	ix, 261 pages ; 24 cm.
Language:	English
Series:	The Joan Palevsky imprint in classical literature Christianity in late antiquity Joan Palevsky imprint in classical literature. Christianity in late antiquity (North American Patristics Society)
Subject:	Gregory, -- of Nazianzus, Saint. -- Correspondence. Gregory, -- of Nazianzus, Saint -- Criticism and interpretation. Gregory, -- of Nazianzus, Saint. Criticism, interpretation, etc.
Format:	Print Book
URL for this record:	http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/11933272

Hidden Bibliographic Details
ISBN:	9780520304130 0520304136
Notes:	Includes bibliographical references and indexes.
Summary:	"Gregory of Nazianzus (ca. 330-390 C.E.) is the earliest known Greek writer to collect and publish his own letters. Students and scholars may know him for his theological contributions, but his genius also extended into literary composition. This book builds a provocative case that Gregory's self-published letter collection constitutes not an epistolary archive, but an autobiography in epistolary form--a single text composed to secure his status among provincial contemporaries and his legacy among later generations of readers. As an autobiographical text, the letter collection utilizes self-presentational strategies that tap into late antique elite ideals in order to shore up Gregory's personal authority. The first chapter situates Gregory's publication of the letter collection within three contexts: his life, ancient autobiographical literature, and the history of Gregory's reception among his later biographers. The second examines the collection's textual history (printed editions and manuscripts) and argues for reconceptualizing its organization and thematic architecture. The third, fourth, and fifth chapters focus on the collection's three self-presentational currents--mastery of eloquence, philosophical supremacy, and friendship with Saint Basil of Caesarea. Despite not holding any office within the church at the time of publication, the letter collection and its self-presentational motifs gave him the tools he needed to construct a personalized authority"--Provided by publisher.
Other form:	Online version: Storin, Bradley K., author. Self-portrait in three colors Oakland, California : University of California Press, [2019] 9780520972940

Description
Summary:	A seminal figure in late antique Christianity and Christian orthodoxy, Saint Gregory of Nazianzus published a collection of more than 240 letters. Whereas these letters have often been cast aside as readers turn to his theological orations or autobiographical poetry for insight into his life, thought, and times, Self-Portrait in Three Colors focuses squarely on them, building a provocative case that the finalized collection constitutes not an epistolary archive but an autobiography in epistolary form--a single text composed to secure his status among provincial contemporaries and later generations. Shedding light on late-ancient letter writing, fourth-century Christian intelligentsia, Christianity and classical culture, and the Christianization of Roman society, these letters offer a fascinating and unique view of Gregory's life, engagement with literary culture, and leadership in the church. As a single unit, this autobiographical epistolary collection proved a powerful tool in Gregory's attempts to govern the contours of his authorial image as well as his provincial and ecclesiastical legacy.
Physical Description:	ix, 261 pages ; 24 cm.
Bibliography:	Includes bibliographical references and indexes.
ISBN:	9780520304130 0520304136