{"product_id":"9780674994973","title":"Selected Orations, Volume II by A.F. Norman","description":"Pagans' advocate.   Libanius (AD 314-393) was one of the last great publicists and teachers of Greek paganism. His story, as presented in his Autobiography and the Life by  Eunapius, is supplemented by information from a correspondence of over  1500 items and sixty-four extant orations. A native of Antioch, he began  his teaching career in Constantinople in 340, but soon had to retire to  Nicomedeia, where he became acquainted with St. Basil and influential  in the development of Julian's paganism. After a second tenure at  Constantinople he returned home to become professor in Antioch in 354, a  position which he held, through many vicissitudes, for the rest of his  life.  As sophist of Antioch and a devoted exponent of the traditional Hellenic  system of education, Libanius remained deliberately and contemptuously  unacquainted with Latin, and deplored its growing influence. Naturally  humane in outlook and sympathizing with the local bourgeoisie, he  criticized bitterly the encroachments and oppressions of the central  administration, and the general cruelty of his day. Sincerely pagan in  an increasingly aggressive Christian society, he became an influential  voice against religious persecution, official or unofficial. The  orations on Julian, to whose memory he remained devoted all his life,  were composed between 362 and 365, and present Libanius with a congenial  subject, revealing him at the height of his powers and influence.  Also available in the Loeb Classical Library is a two-volume edition of Libanius' Autobiography and Selected Letters.\u003cbr\u003eBinding: Hardback","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56294392299893,"sku":"9780674994973","price":24.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780674994973.jpg?v=1762763302","url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/products\/9780674994973","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}