Orations: VII, XII, XXXVI. Edited by D.A. Russell.

DIO CHRYSOSTOM, (DIO CHRYSOSTOMUS),

ISBN 10: 0521376963 / ISBN 13: 9780521376969

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Cambridge University Press, 1992 (ed). Digital printing. 276p. Paperback. Series: Cambridge Greek and Latin Classics - Imperial Library. 'The introduction to D.'s life and work (pp.1-25) is worth anyone's while: broad, yet with revealing detail, artfully constructed, literate, humane, striking judicious distinctions and nice balances between philosophy and rhetoric, moral earnestness and entertainment, showing good judgement on crucial issues (e.g. the importance of Musonius' influence on D.), and including valuable general discussion of each of the three works. (.) within the commentary R.'s greatest strength is his tremendous understanding of the grammar, syntax and stylistic nuances of Greek prose and of the divergences from Classical practice (.) and again R. constitution, interpretation and translation of the text are decisively superior to those of the Loeb (.). R. is also preditably full and excellent on literary echoes, rhetorical techniques, and philosophical influences, particularly Stoic and Platonic. (.) There are weaknesses. (.) R. does not seem to me especially at home in D.'s distinctive world. (.) In general, R. shows little interest in 'close reading. (.) Yet a reviewer's complaints, while perhaps necessary, are churlish and ungrateful when so much has been given. We should praise R.'s enterprise in presenting so attractive an introduction to D. and his success in analysing and explaining some of the best Greek prose of the later period in a manner which will delight and instruct all his readers.' (JOHN MOLES in The Classical Review (New Series), 1993, pp.256-58).

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Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: Orations: VII, XII, XXXVI. Edited by D.A. Russell.
• ISBN à 10 chiffres: 0521376963
• ISBN à 13 chiffres: 9780521376969

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Synopsis

Dio of Prusa, known as Dio Chrysostom, was the foremost orator in the classical world in the first century AD. This new edition, with introduction and commentary, presents three of his speeches, all of which are masterpieces of the genre and are particularly important for the intellectual history of the period. In 'Euboicus' (7), Dio relates his shipwreck in Euboea and hospitable reception by an isolated group of hunters in the mountains, and uses this as the basis of an eloquent discourse on the simple life and the evils of urban societies. In 'Olympicus' (12), he addresses the assembled crowd at Olympia on theological themes suggested by the vast statue of Zeus by Phidias, one of the wonders of the ancient world. In 'Borystheniticus' (36), he recounts a lecture he gives to the people of Olbia, a remote Greek city in southern Russia, on the subject of the true 'city' and the 'heavenly city' which is the cosmos, whose periodical destruction and rebirth he describes in a colourful orientalizing myth. This is the first commentary in English on these speeches, and while it discusses textual and linguistic problems necessary for the understanding of Dio's text, its main thrust is to make Dio more accessible to students through an appreciation of the literary qualities of his orations and the context in which they were delivered.