Panegyric

Guy Debord’s silver-tongue-in-cheek autobiography mixes precision and pastiche in a whirlwind account of philosophy, exploit, and inebriation. From the stark professions of Volume I to the illustrated sequences of Volume 2, Panegyric confronts us with a figure who strategically, demonically tried to wrest life from the disabling modern ‘spectacle.’

This is the first monograph in English on the Panegyrici Latini, and the first in any language dedicated to the five speeches of praise from 289-307. The study considers how the orators justified, accommodated, and projected these changes and related them to the local concerns of the people of Northern Gaul. Detailed analyses of the speeches highlight the literary flair and diplomatic acumen their orators required.

Latin Panegyric represents modern readings on the collection of classical Latin oratory addressed to Roman emperors. With a full introduction, and with four essays translated into English for the first time, the volume plots the narratives of Roman praise and gives students of classical literature and rhetoric direct access to key scholarship.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1975.

How classical narrative models were adapted as early Christian culture took shape and developed.

This work is an expression of gratitude to Empress Eusebia, who was the first wife of Constantius. After Julian's step-brother, Gallus Caesar, was murdered by the emperor, he was summoned to Milan court. But Julian was protected, uplifted, and advised by Eusebia. His sincere gratitude influenced his straightforward style.

This work was written by the Roman emperor 'Julian the Apostate' to reassure Constantius that he was on his side. Julian described the ideal ruler as basically "first among equals," operating under the same laws as his subjects.