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Ethnicity and Argument in Eusebius' Praeparatio Evangelica

Ethnicity and Argument in Eusebius' Praeparatio Evangelica

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Hardback

£150.00

Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780199296132
Number of Pages: 280
Published: 12/10/2006
Width: 14.7 cm
Height: 22.4 cm
Eusebius' magisterial Praeparatio Evangelica (written sometime between AD 313 and 324) offers an apologetic defence of Christianity in the face of Greek accusations of irrationality and impiety. Though brimming with the quotations of other (often lost) Greek authors, the work is dominated by a clear and sustained argument. Against the tendency to see the Praeparatio as merely an anthology of other sources or a defence of monotheistic religion against paganism, Aaron P. Johnson seeks to appreciate Eusebius' contribution to the discourses of Christian identity by investigating the constructions of ethnic identity (especially Greek) at the heart of his work. Analysis of his `ethnic argumentation' exhibits a method of defending Christianity by construing its opponents as historically rooted nations, whose place in the narrative of world history serves to undermine the legitimacy of their claims to ancient wisdom and piety.
1. Discourses of ethnicity and early Christian apologetics: an introduction ; 2. The language of 'ethnicity' ; 3. Relocating Greekness: the narrative of Greek descent ; 4. Rewriting Hebrew history: the descent of the ancient Hebrews ; 5. Greek descent revisited ; 6. Rome among the nations: Eusebius' Pareparatio and the unmaking of Greek political theology ; 7. The Church as apologetic: Eusebius' legitimation of Christianity

Aaron P. Johnson (Lecturer in Classics, University of Texas at Austin)

Aaron P. Johnson is Lecturer in Classics, Loyola University, Chicago

[Johnson's] book easily establishes a strong claim to be regarded as the best introduction to Eusebius' massive work now available in any language. * T. D. Barnes, Journal of Ecclesiastical History * [Aaron Johnson's] book offers an illuminating treatment of the Praeparatio * Sabrina Inowlocki, Bryn Mawr Classical Review *