The Private Orations of Themistius

Robert J. Penella

• Publisher: University of California Press
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN:
  9780520218215
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9780520922709
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Ancient History
• Index: Literature

Themistius was a philosopher, a prominent Constantinopolitan senator, and an adviser to Roman emperors during the fourth century A.D. In this first translation of Themistius's private orations to be published in English, Robert J. Penella makes accessible texts that shed significant light on the culture of Constantinople and, more generally, the eastern Roman empire during the fourth century. The sixteen speeches translated here are equipped with ample annotations and an informative introduction, making them a valuable resource on the late antique period, as well as on Greek intellectual history and oratory.

In Themistius's public orations, he played the role of imperial panegyrist, but in the "private" or unofficial orations presented here, the senator concerns himself with apologetics, rhetorical and philosophical programs, material of autobiographical interest, and ethical themes. The speeches are valuable as evidence for the political, social, philosophical, religious, and literary history of fourth century Byzantium, and as examples of pagan ideology and eloquence in the newly Christianized court. Themistius argues, among other things, that the philosopher should be involved in public affairs, that the lessons of philosophy should be broadcast to the masses, and that it is appropriate for the philosopher to be an effective orator in order to circulate his teachings.


Themistius was a philosopher, a prominent Constantinopolitan senator, and an adviser to Roman emperors during the fourth century A.D. In this first translation of Themistius's private orations to be published in English, Robert J. Penella makes accessible

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents 1
• Acknowledgments
• Abbreviations
• Chronology of the Translated Orations
• Introduction Themistius and His Orations
• ORATION 20 A Funeral Oration in Honor of His Father
• ORATION 21 The Examiner [Βασανιστής], or, The Philosopher
• ORATION 22 On Friendship
• ORATION 23 The Sophist
• ORATION 24 An Exhortation to the Nicomedians
• In Reply to One Who Asked for an Extempore Oration
• ORATION 26 <On Speaking, or, How the Philosopher Should Speak>353
• ORATION 27 On the Need to Give Thought, Not to Where [We Study] but to the Men [Who Will Teach Us]
• ORATION 18 The Disquisition on Speaking
• ORATION 29 In Reply to Those Who Interpret [His Oration] “The Sophist” Incorrectly
• ORATION 30 Should One Engage in Farming?
• ORATION 3 I Concerning His Presidency [of the Senate], Addressed to the Senate [of Constantinople]
• ORATION 32 On Moderation of One’s Emotions [Μετριοπαθής], or, On Love of One’s Children
• ORATION 3 3 [Title Lost]
• ORATION 34 In Reply to Those Who Found Fault with Him for Accepting Public Office
• Oration 17
• APPENDIX 2 Fragment on “The Knowledge of Knowledges”
• APPENDIX 3 The Demegoria Constantii541
• Bibliography THEMISTIAN EDITIONS AND TRANSLATIONS
• OTHER WORKS CONSULTED
• Index