Aelius Aristide et la rhétorique de l'hymne en prose

This book focuses on Aelius Aristides’ prose hymns (or. XXXVII-XLVI). These texts constitute the richest corpus of rhetorical eulogies of gods which we possess. The special status that these discourses had in the orator’s life and career are being analyzed for the very first time, along with the poetics they put to work, the ways in which they are deeply anchored in Greco-Roman society and the religiosity they display. Presented with a translation, each text is preceded by a note that relates the circumstances of its composition and pronunciation, comments on its structure, general spirit and main features. These notes also help clarify the historical, institutional and civic context of the oratory performance. Based on the 1898 Keil’s Berlin edition, the Greek text has been revised and freed from irrelevant conjectures.

Johann Goeken, specialist of Greek language and literature, is associate professor at the University of Strasbourg.