Macarius, Apocriticus
Introduction, Translation, and Notes
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Publisher: Liverpool University Press
ISBN: 9781781381298
Number of Pages: 384
Published: 23/03/2015
Width: 14.7 cm
Height: 21 cm
The Apocriticus purports to be the record of a four-day public debate between a pagan philosopher, whom the text calls simply the “Hellene,” and the author, Macarius, a Christian rhetor. The text is a rich, though often neglected, source for the history of intellectual and cultural conflict between Christian and Hellene intellectuals in the fourth century CE.
While the Apocriticus has frequently attracted the attention of scholars as a possible source of fragments from Porphyry’s Against the Christians, the text as a whole is significant in its own right. Macarius defends the allegorical reading of scripture and presents interesting discussions concerning ascetic practice and the cult of the martyrs.
The philosophical and theological eclecticism of the text should also be of interests to scholars of early Christianity and later ancient philosophy. The fictitious dialogue weaves together philosophical and theological arguments, often in a “popularized” form. The text thus represents an interesting contrast to more formal “high” philosophical and theological texts of the period.
As well as a new English translation of an important text, this volume includes notes and introductory essays setting the work in its historical and intellectual contexts.
Preface
Introductory Essays
I. Macarius and the Christian Tradition (Mark J. Edwards)
II. The Hellene (Jeremy M. Schott)
A.Macarius’ Use of a Source or Sources
B.Identifying the Hellene?
i.Celsus
ii.Sossianus Hierocles
iii.Julian
iv.Porphyry
C.Conclusions
III. Macarius and the Apocriticus (Jeremy M. Schott)
A. The Text
B. Author, Provenance, and Date
C. A Literary Assessment
Abbreviations and Sigla
Macarius, Apocriticus, or Monogenes
1. Book 1
2. Book 2
3. Book 3
4. Book 4
5. Fragments
Bibliography
Index
'This affordable book is undoubtedly enlightening and enjoyable, and will lead to widespread use of this vast ancient text.' (Translated from German)Ulrich Volp, Zeitschrift fur Antikes Christentum 'Such use of this affordable book is undoubtedly illuminating and enjoyable and will lead to the widespread distribution of this extensive ancient text, especially since the English-speaking readership far outnumber those of the readers who are fluent in Greek, French and / or German.'
Ulrich Volp, Zeitschift fur antikes Christentum (Translated from German)