Politics, Philosophy and Empire in the Fourth Century : Themistius’ Select Orations

This volume begins with an introductory chapter on "Orator, Emperor, and Senate".

It then presents translations of a selection of speeches of Themistius, grouped into chapters that deal with a key period in the evolution of his career or with a sequence of events of particular historical significance.

Chapter two explores Themistius' initial rise to prominence and includes translations of orations one and three as well as of the letter of Constantius to the Senate. Orations five and six are included in chapter three, which explores the themes of Themistius' ability to jump between regimes and of the religious controversies of the 360s.

With chapter four (orations 14-16), the story leaps forward a decade and a half to the turbulent years of Theodosius, charting the evolution of his policies as he struggled to constrain the warring Goths.

Chapter five, finally, brings the story to the twilight of Themistius' career and the controversy that erupted when he agreed to become urban prefect of Constantinople in 383/384. Orations 17 and 34 presented here, not only illuminate that controversy, but also how Themistius wished his lifetime's achievement to be viewed.