Q. Aurelius Symmachus

A Political Biography

Bibliographic Data

ID9326533
AuthorsCristiana Sogno (corresponding author)
Year2010
Pages140
Publication date2010-06-04
Open AccessNo
TypeBOOK
VenueQ. Aurelius Symmachus (SOURCE_BOOK)
PublisherUniversity of Michigan Press (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.3998/mpub.135836
OpenAlexW587503144
ISBN9780472115297
Open LibraryOL3408528M
LanguageEN
Citations received41

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

Aesthetics · Allegiance · Aristocracy (class · Aristocracy (class) · Art · Biography · Christianity · Christianization · Humanities · Interpretation (philosophy · Interpretation (philosophy) · Late Antiquity · late Roman aristocracy · late Roman politics · Literature · Oratory · Period (music · Period (music) · political careers · Political science · Politics · Religion and politics · Roman Empire · Roman Senate · Symmachus · Townsend · American Constitutional Law and Politics · Augustinian Studies and Theology · Classical Antiquity Studies · Classics · Historical and Religious Studies of Rome · History · Law · Philosophy · Religious studies · 284-476 · 364-375 · 379-455 · biography · Correspondence · History and criticism · Latin Letter writing · Latin letters · Legislators · Letter-writing, Latin · Orators · politics and government · Politics and government · Quintus Aurelius Symmachus (d. 405) · Rome · Speeches, addresses, etc., Latin · Theodosians · Theodosians, 379-455 · To 1500 · Valentinian I · Valentinian I, 364-375 · Religious Studies