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Friendship and Rivalry: Local Relations and Cultural Environment in Constantinople and Nicomedia in the Light of Libanius' Orations and Letters

Year 2022, Issue: 26, 125 - 142, 04.08.2022
https://doi.org/10.26650/anar.2022.1080451

Abstract

Nicomedia and Constantinople, the two largest cities of the Roman Empire on the Marmara coast, drew attention as very rich and developed metropoleis in the 3rd and 4th centuries. These two cities, which were successor capitals, also attracted the aristocrats, scholars, orators and statesmen of the period with their cultural environment. The sophist Libanius of Antioch, who lived in both these cities, gives very valuable information about these cities. Orations and letters of Libanius provide quite detailed information on remarkably interesting topics such as friendship relations, local rivalries and factions, schools, educators, social networks and the local policies of the emperors in these two great cities. By putting Libanius in the center, this study aims to show the local relations in Constantinople and Nicomedia in the 4th century, as well as the socio-cultural environment and the differences between these cities. In addition, the contributing factors of the cultural environment that allowed Nicomedia to compete with Constantinople, the new residence of the emperors, until the devastating earthquakes in Nicomedia, were also discussed.

Thanks

I would like to thank the TUBITAK Directorate of Science Fellowships and Grant Programme (BIDEB) for financial support within the scope of 2214-a International Research Fellowship Programme for my doctoral thesis project.

References

  • Barnes, T. D. (1987), “Himerius and the Fourth Century”, CPh. 82(3). 206-225. google scholar
  • Barnes, T. D. (2011), Athanasius and Constantius. Theology and Politics in the Constantinian Empire, Harvard University Press, Cambridge. google scholar
  • Bassett, S. (2004), The Urban Image of Late Antique Constantinople, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. google scholar
  • Becker, M. (2013), Eunapios aus Sardes: Biographien über Philosophen und Sophisten; Einleitung, Übersetzung, Kommentar, Franz Steiner Verlag, Stuttgart. google scholar
  • Bekker-Nielsen, T. (2008), Urban Life and Local Politics in Roman Bithynia: The Small World of Dion Chrysostomos, Aarhus University Press, Aarhus. google scholar
  • Belke, K. (2020), Tabula Imperii Byzantini: Bithynien und Hellespont (TIB), Band. XIII, Wien: Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften. google scholar
  • Bowie, E. (2022), “Greek High Culture in Hellenistic and Early Imperial Bithynia”, Mnemosyne 75. 73-112. google scholar
  • Bradbury, S. (2004), Selected Letters of Libanius from the Age of Constantius and Julian, Liverpool University Press, Liverpool. google scholar
  • Burrell, B. (2004), Neokoroi. Greek Cities and Roman Emperors, Brill Press, Leiden-Boston. google scholar
  • Cameron, A. (1993), The Later Roman Empire AD 284-430, Fontana Press, London. google scholar
  • Cribiore, R. (2007), The School of Libanius in Late Antique Antioch, Princeton University Press, Princeton. google scholar
  • Cribiore, R. (2013), Libanius the Sophist. Rhetorich, Reality and Religion in the Fourth Century, Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York. google scholar
  • Cribiore, R. (2014), “The Rhetorical Context: Traditions and Opportunities”, Libanius: a Critical Introduction, ed. L. Van Hoof, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 59-78. google scholar
  • Cribiore, R. (2015), Between City and School: Selected Orations of Libanius, Liverpool University Press, Liverpool. google scholar
  • Dagron, G., (1974), Naissance d’une capitale. Constantinople et ses institutions de 330 a 451, Presses Universitaires de France, Paris. google scholar
  • Doukellis, P. N. (1995), Libanios et la Terre: Discours et Ideologie Politique, Institut Français d’Archeologie du Proche-Orient, Beyrouth. google scholar
  • Festugiere, A.J. (1965), “L’Autobiographie de Libanius”, Revue des Etudes Grecques Vol. 78, No. 371/373 (Juillet-Decembre). 623-634. google scholar
  • Foss, C. (1996), Survey of Medieval Castles of Anatolia II: Nicomedia, The British Institute of Archaeology of Ankara Press, Ankara. google scholar
  • Guidoboni, E, Comastri, A., Traina, G. (1994), Catalogue of Ancient Earthquakes in the Mediterranean Area up to the 10th Century, Istituto nazionale di geofisica, Rome. google scholar
  • Heather, P. and D. Moncur (2001), Politics, Philosophy, and Empire in the Fourth Century. Select Orations of Themistius, Liverpool University Press, Liverpool. google scholar
  • Jones, A. H. M. et al. (1971), The Prosopography of Later Roman Empire, Vol.1. AD 260-395 (PLRE I), Cambridge University Press, New York. google scholar
  • Kaçar, T. (2015), Geç Antikçağ’da Hıristiyanlık, Arkeoloji ve Sanat Yay., İstanbul. google scholar
  • Lenski, N. (2016), Constantine and the Cities, University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia. google scholar
  • Liebeschuetz, W. (2006), “Transformation and Decline: Are the Two Really Incompatible?”, Die Stadt in der Spatantike - Niedergang oder Wandel?, eds. J.-U. Krause, C. Witschel, Franz Steiner Verlag, Stuttgart, 463-483. google scholar
  • Lieu, S. and D. Montserrat (1996), From Constantine to Julian: Pagan and Byzantine Views, Routledge Press, London, New York. google scholar
  • Macmullen, R. (2003), “Cultural and Political Changes in the 4th and 5th Centuries”, Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte 52 (4), 465-495. google scholar
  • Marek, C. (2003), Pontus et Bithynia. Die römischen Provinzen im Norden Kleinasiens, Philipp von Zabern Verlag, Mainz am Rhein. google scholar
  • Matthews, J. (1989), The Roman Empire of Ammianus, Duckworth Press, London. google scholar
  • McGuckin, J. A. (2001), St. Gregory of Nazianzus: An Intellectual Biography, St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, New York. google scholar
  • Moser, M. (2018), Emperor and Senators in the Reign of Constantius II, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. google scholar
  • Nesselrath, H.-G. (2012), Libanios, Zeuge einer schwindenden Welt, Anton Hiersemann Verlag, Stuttgart. google scholar
  • Nesselrath, T. (2013), Kaiser Julian und die Repaganisierung des Reiches, Jahrbuch für Antike und Christentum 9, Aschendorf Verlag, Münster. google scholar
  • Norman, A. F. (1992), Libanius: Autobiography and Selected Letters, Harvard University Press, Oxford. google scholar
  • Norman, A. F. (2000), Antioch as a Centre of Hellenic Culture as Observed by Libanius, Liverpool University Press, Liverpool. google scholar
  • Panella, R. J. (1990), Greek Philosopher and Sophists in the Fourth Century A.D., Francis Cairns Press, Leeds. google scholar
  • Panella, R. J. (2000), The Private Orations of Themistius, University of California Press, Los Angeles. google scholar
  • Panella, R. J. (2007), Man and the Word: The Orations of Himerius, University of California Press, Los Angeles. google scholar
  • Rihle A. (1989), Greek and Latin Literature of the Roman Empire: From Augustus to Justinian, Trans.by M. Malzahn, Routledge Press, London and New York. google scholar
  • Şare-Ağtürk, T. (2018), “A New Tetrarchic Relief from Nicomedia: Embracing Emperors.” AJA 122(3): 411-426. google scholar
  • Şare-Ağtürk, T. (2020), “The Self-Image of a New Imperial Capital City on the Tetrarchic Reliefs of Nicomedia.” In Imperial Residence and Site of Councils—The Metropolitan Region of Nicaea / Nicomedia. AMS 96, eds. A. Lichtenberger, T. Şare-Ağtürk, E. Winter, and K. Zimmermann, Münster. 107-116. google scholar
  • Schneider, A. M. (1954), “Bithynien”, Reallexikon für Antike und Christentum (RAC), Band II, Hiersemann Verlag, Stuttgart, 416-422. google scholar
  • Scholl, R. (1994), Historische Beitrage zu den julianischen Reden des Libanios, Franz Steiner Verlag, Stuttgart. google scholar
  • Seeck, O. (1964), Regesten der Kaiser und Papste für die Jahre 311 bis 476 N. Chr., J. B. Metzler, Stuttgart. google scholar
  • Van Hoof, L. (2011), “Libanius and EU presidency. Career moves in the Autobiography”, Libanios, le Premier Humaniste, eds. O. Lagacherie, P-L, Malosse, Edizioni dell’Orso, Alexandria. 193-206. google scholar
  • Van Hoof, L. (2014), “Libanius’ Life and life”, Libanius: a Critical Introduction, ed. L. Van Hoof, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 7-38. google scholar
  • Van Nuffelen, P. (2006), “Earthquakes in A.D. 363-368 and the Date of Libanius, Oratio 18”, The Classical Quarterly 56 (2). 657-661. google scholar
  • Vanderspoel, J. (1995), Themistius and the Imperial Court: Oratory, Civic Duty, and Paideia from Constantius to Theodosius, The University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor. google scholar
  • Völker, H. (2003), Himerios Reden und Fragmente. Einführung, Übersetzung und Kommentar, Dr. Ludwig Reichert Verlag, Weisbaden. google scholar
  • Watts, E. (2014), “The historical context: the rhetoric of suffering in Libanius’ Monodies, Letters and Autobiography”, Libanius: a Critical Introduction, ed. L. Van Hoof, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 39-58. google scholar
  • WeiBenberger, M. (1999),“Libanios”, Der Neue Pauly (DNP). Band 7 Lef-Men, eds. H. Cancik et al., J. B. Metzler Verlag, Stuttgart, Weimar, 130-132. google scholar
  • Whitby, M. (2006), “Factions, Bishops, Violance and Urban Decline”, Die Stadt in der Spatantike -Niedergang oder Wandel?, eds. J.-U. Krause, C. Witschel, Franz Steiner Verlag, Stuttgart, 441-461. google scholar
  • Wiemer, H. U. (2014), “Emperors and empire in Libanius”, Libanius: a Critical Introduction, ed. L. Van Hoof, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 187-219. google scholar
  • Wintjes, J. (2005), Das Leben des Libanius, Marie Leidorf Verlag, Rohden. google scholar
  • Wintjes, J. (2006), “Libanius and Himerius”, Topoi. Orient-Occident Suppl. 7. 231-241. google scholar
  • Woods, D. (2006), “Libanius, Bemarchius, and the Mausoleum of Constantine I”, Studies in Latin Literature and Roman History 13. 428-439. google scholar

Dostluk ve Rekabet: Libanius'un Söylev ve Mektupları Işığında Constantinopolis ve Nikomedia'da Yerel İlişkiler ve Kültürel Çevre

Year 2022, Issue: 26, 125 - 142, 04.08.2022
https://doi.org/10.26650/anar.2022.1080451

Abstract

Roma İmparatorluğu'nun Marmara kıyısındaki iki büyük kenti olan Nikomedia ve Constantinopolis, 3. ve 4. yüzyıllarda oldukça zengin ve gelişmiş metropolisler olarak dikkat çeker. Ardıl başkentler olan bu iki kent aynı zamanda kültürel ortamıyla da döneminin aristokratlarını, eğitmenlerini, hatiplerini ve devlet adamlarını da cezbetmiştir. Her iki kentte de yaşamış olan Antakyalı sofist Libanius, bu kentlere dair çok kıymetli bilgiler vermektedir. Libanius’un söylev ve mektupları bu iki büyük kentteki dostluk ilişkileri, yerel rekabetler ve hizipler, okullar, eğitmenler, sosyal ağlar ve İmparatorların yerel politikaları gibi oldukça ilgi çekici konulara ışık tutmaktadır. Bu çalışma da Libanius’u merkeze alarak, 4.yüzyılda Constantinopolis ve Nikomedia kentlerindeki yerel ilişkiler ve sosyokültürel ortamı ve kentler arasındaki farklılıkları göstermeyi amaçlamaktadır. Ayrıca Nikomedia’da meydana gelen oldukça yıkıcı depremlere kadar Nikomedia’nın İmparatorların yeni ikametgahı olan Constantinopolis’le rekabet edebilmesine olanak veren kültürel ortamın sağlayıcı etkenleri de tartışılmıştır.

References

  • Barnes, T. D. (1987), “Himerius and the Fourth Century”, CPh. 82(3). 206-225. google scholar
  • Barnes, T. D. (2011), Athanasius and Constantius. Theology and Politics in the Constantinian Empire, Harvard University Press, Cambridge. google scholar
  • Bassett, S. (2004), The Urban Image of Late Antique Constantinople, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. google scholar
  • Becker, M. (2013), Eunapios aus Sardes: Biographien über Philosophen und Sophisten; Einleitung, Übersetzung, Kommentar, Franz Steiner Verlag, Stuttgart. google scholar
  • Bekker-Nielsen, T. (2008), Urban Life and Local Politics in Roman Bithynia: The Small World of Dion Chrysostomos, Aarhus University Press, Aarhus. google scholar
  • Belke, K. (2020), Tabula Imperii Byzantini: Bithynien und Hellespont (TIB), Band. XIII, Wien: Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften. google scholar
  • Bowie, E. (2022), “Greek High Culture in Hellenistic and Early Imperial Bithynia”, Mnemosyne 75. 73-112. google scholar
  • Bradbury, S. (2004), Selected Letters of Libanius from the Age of Constantius and Julian, Liverpool University Press, Liverpool. google scholar
  • Burrell, B. (2004), Neokoroi. Greek Cities and Roman Emperors, Brill Press, Leiden-Boston. google scholar
  • Cameron, A. (1993), The Later Roman Empire AD 284-430, Fontana Press, London. google scholar
  • Cribiore, R. (2007), The School of Libanius in Late Antique Antioch, Princeton University Press, Princeton. google scholar
  • Cribiore, R. (2013), Libanius the Sophist. Rhetorich, Reality and Religion in the Fourth Century, Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York. google scholar
  • Cribiore, R. (2014), “The Rhetorical Context: Traditions and Opportunities”, Libanius: a Critical Introduction, ed. L. Van Hoof, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 59-78. google scholar
  • Cribiore, R. (2015), Between City and School: Selected Orations of Libanius, Liverpool University Press, Liverpool. google scholar
  • Dagron, G., (1974), Naissance d’une capitale. Constantinople et ses institutions de 330 a 451, Presses Universitaires de France, Paris. google scholar
  • Doukellis, P. N. (1995), Libanios et la Terre: Discours et Ideologie Politique, Institut Français d’Archeologie du Proche-Orient, Beyrouth. google scholar
  • Festugiere, A.J. (1965), “L’Autobiographie de Libanius”, Revue des Etudes Grecques Vol. 78, No. 371/373 (Juillet-Decembre). 623-634. google scholar
  • Foss, C. (1996), Survey of Medieval Castles of Anatolia II: Nicomedia, The British Institute of Archaeology of Ankara Press, Ankara. google scholar
  • Guidoboni, E, Comastri, A., Traina, G. (1994), Catalogue of Ancient Earthquakes in the Mediterranean Area up to the 10th Century, Istituto nazionale di geofisica, Rome. google scholar
  • Heather, P. and D. Moncur (2001), Politics, Philosophy, and Empire in the Fourth Century. Select Orations of Themistius, Liverpool University Press, Liverpool. google scholar
  • Jones, A. H. M. et al. (1971), The Prosopography of Later Roman Empire, Vol.1. AD 260-395 (PLRE I), Cambridge University Press, New York. google scholar
  • Kaçar, T. (2015), Geç Antikçağ’da Hıristiyanlık, Arkeoloji ve Sanat Yay., İstanbul. google scholar
  • Lenski, N. (2016), Constantine and the Cities, University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia. google scholar
  • Liebeschuetz, W. (2006), “Transformation and Decline: Are the Two Really Incompatible?”, Die Stadt in der Spatantike - Niedergang oder Wandel?, eds. J.-U. Krause, C. Witschel, Franz Steiner Verlag, Stuttgart, 463-483. google scholar
  • Lieu, S. and D. Montserrat (1996), From Constantine to Julian: Pagan and Byzantine Views, Routledge Press, London, New York. google scholar
  • Macmullen, R. (2003), “Cultural and Political Changes in the 4th and 5th Centuries”, Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte 52 (4), 465-495. google scholar
  • Marek, C. (2003), Pontus et Bithynia. Die römischen Provinzen im Norden Kleinasiens, Philipp von Zabern Verlag, Mainz am Rhein. google scholar
  • Matthews, J. (1989), The Roman Empire of Ammianus, Duckworth Press, London. google scholar
  • McGuckin, J. A. (2001), St. Gregory of Nazianzus: An Intellectual Biography, St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, New York. google scholar
  • Moser, M. (2018), Emperor and Senators in the Reign of Constantius II, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. google scholar
  • Nesselrath, H.-G. (2012), Libanios, Zeuge einer schwindenden Welt, Anton Hiersemann Verlag, Stuttgart. google scholar
  • Nesselrath, T. (2013), Kaiser Julian und die Repaganisierung des Reiches, Jahrbuch für Antike und Christentum 9, Aschendorf Verlag, Münster. google scholar
  • Norman, A. F. (1992), Libanius: Autobiography and Selected Letters, Harvard University Press, Oxford. google scholar
  • Norman, A. F. (2000), Antioch as a Centre of Hellenic Culture as Observed by Libanius, Liverpool University Press, Liverpool. google scholar
  • Panella, R. J. (1990), Greek Philosopher and Sophists in the Fourth Century A.D., Francis Cairns Press, Leeds. google scholar
  • Panella, R. J. (2000), The Private Orations of Themistius, University of California Press, Los Angeles. google scholar
  • Panella, R. J. (2007), Man and the Word: The Orations of Himerius, University of California Press, Los Angeles. google scholar
  • Rihle A. (1989), Greek and Latin Literature of the Roman Empire: From Augustus to Justinian, Trans.by M. Malzahn, Routledge Press, London and New York. google scholar
  • Şare-Ağtürk, T. (2018), “A New Tetrarchic Relief from Nicomedia: Embracing Emperors.” AJA 122(3): 411-426. google scholar
  • Şare-Ağtürk, T. (2020), “The Self-Image of a New Imperial Capital City on the Tetrarchic Reliefs of Nicomedia.” In Imperial Residence and Site of Councils—The Metropolitan Region of Nicaea / Nicomedia. AMS 96, eds. A. Lichtenberger, T. Şare-Ağtürk, E. Winter, and K. Zimmermann, Münster. 107-116. google scholar
  • Schneider, A. M. (1954), “Bithynien”, Reallexikon für Antike und Christentum (RAC), Band II, Hiersemann Verlag, Stuttgart, 416-422. google scholar
  • Scholl, R. (1994), Historische Beitrage zu den julianischen Reden des Libanios, Franz Steiner Verlag, Stuttgart. google scholar
  • Seeck, O. (1964), Regesten der Kaiser und Papste für die Jahre 311 bis 476 N. Chr., J. B. Metzler, Stuttgart. google scholar
  • Van Hoof, L. (2011), “Libanius and EU presidency. Career moves in the Autobiography”, Libanios, le Premier Humaniste, eds. O. Lagacherie, P-L, Malosse, Edizioni dell’Orso, Alexandria. 193-206. google scholar
  • Van Hoof, L. (2014), “Libanius’ Life and life”, Libanius: a Critical Introduction, ed. L. Van Hoof, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 7-38. google scholar
  • Van Nuffelen, P. (2006), “Earthquakes in A.D. 363-368 and the Date of Libanius, Oratio 18”, The Classical Quarterly 56 (2). 657-661. google scholar
  • Vanderspoel, J. (1995), Themistius and the Imperial Court: Oratory, Civic Duty, and Paideia from Constantius to Theodosius, The University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor. google scholar
  • Völker, H. (2003), Himerios Reden und Fragmente. Einführung, Übersetzung und Kommentar, Dr. Ludwig Reichert Verlag, Weisbaden. google scholar
  • Watts, E. (2014), “The historical context: the rhetoric of suffering in Libanius’ Monodies, Letters and Autobiography”, Libanius: a Critical Introduction, ed. L. Van Hoof, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 39-58. google scholar
  • WeiBenberger, M. (1999),“Libanios”, Der Neue Pauly (DNP). Band 7 Lef-Men, eds. H. Cancik et al., J. B. Metzler Verlag, Stuttgart, Weimar, 130-132. google scholar
  • Whitby, M. (2006), “Factions, Bishops, Violance and Urban Decline”, Die Stadt in der Spatantike -Niedergang oder Wandel?, eds. J.-U. Krause, C. Witschel, Franz Steiner Verlag, Stuttgart, 441-461. google scholar
  • Wiemer, H. U. (2014), “Emperors and empire in Libanius”, Libanius: a Critical Introduction, ed. L. Van Hoof, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 187-219. google scholar
  • Wintjes, J. (2005), Das Leben des Libanius, Marie Leidorf Verlag, Rohden. google scholar
  • Wintjes, J. (2006), “Libanius and Himerius”, Topoi. Orient-Occident Suppl. 7. 231-241. google scholar
  • Woods, D. (2006), “Libanius, Bemarchius, and the Mausoleum of Constantine I”, Studies in Latin Literature and Roman History 13. 428-439. google scholar
There are 55 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Onur Sadık Karakuş 0000-0001-6169-266X

Publication Date August 4, 2022
Published in Issue Year 2022 Issue: 26

Cite

APA Karakuş, O. S. (2022). Friendship and Rivalry: Local Relations and Cultural Environment in Constantinople and Nicomedia in the Light of Libanius’ Orations and Letters. Anatolian Research(26), 125-142. https://doi.org/10.26650/anar.2022.1080451

Since 1955

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