par Busine, Aude 
Référence Studia Patristica, Peeters, Leuven, Vol. 95, The Fourth Century; Cappadocian Writers, XVII., page (209-2015)
Publication Publié, 2017
Référence Studia Patristica, Peeters, Leuven, Vol. 95, The Fourth Century; Cappadocian Writers, XVII., page (209-2015)
Publication Publié, 2017
Partie d'ouvrage collectif
| Résumé : | This article deals with Basil’s use of the rhetorical form of the encômion poleôs (‘praise of city’). In his Homily on the Martyr Gordius, the Cappadocian Father built Gordius the genuine hero of Caesarea. On that occasion, Basil criticises the traditional way of praising a city. His emphasis on the qualities of the Saint leads him to reject the classical rules of urban rhetorics, according to which Greek rhetors needed to review the natural settings of a city, its history, including its mythical roots, its institutions and its build- ings. However, Basil’ construction of the sainthood of Gordius reveals the ambivalence of Christian authors toward their local and terrestrial fatherland. On the one hand, they criticise that a city’s material goods could be a source of glory and, more generally, they refuse to praise a place symbolising earthly sins. On the other hand, Basil’s dis- course on the Caesarean martyr extoling the virtues of a local character betrays his civic patriotism and pride. |
