Gregory of Neocaesarea: Evangelist in Pontus
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Gregory of Neocaesarea: Evangelist in Pontus Graham Davis Lovell BA (Adelaide) MA (Macquarie) Ancient History Department Macquarie University 30 September 2004 (Revised August 2005) Sydney, 2005 HIGHER DEGREE THESIS AUTHOR’S CONSENT (DOCTORAL) This is to certify that I, /nP.v!^.^r being a candidate for the degree of Doctor of ......... am aware of the policy of the University relating to the retention and use of higher degree theses as contained in the University’s Doctoral Rules generally, and in particular Rule 7(10). In the light of this policy and the policy of the above Rules, I agree to allow a copy of my thesis to be deposited in the University Library for consultation, loan and photocopying forthwith. Signature of Witness Signature of Candidate Dated this day of M MACQUARIE The Academic Senate on 12 April 2005 resolved that Mr Graham Davis Lovell had satisfied the requirements for admission to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. This thesis represents a major part of the prescribed program of study. Table of Contents Table of Contents................................................................................................................................1 List of Figures, Maps & Tables........................................................................................................4 Summary............................................................................................................................................. 5 Candidate’s Statement....................................................................................................................... 6 1 Introduction.................................................................................................................................7 2 Literary Sources....................................................................................................................... 14 2.1 Stylometric Analysis........................................................................................................15 2.1.1 The Texts..................................................................................................................15 2.1.2 Correspondence Analysis........................................................................................19 2.2 Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes............................................................................................ 28 2.2.1 Authorship...............................................................................................................28 2.2.2 Metaphrase vs. Paraphrase...................................................................................... 29 2.2.3 Christian Life...........................................................................................................33 2.3 Address of Thanksgiving................................................................................. 37 2.3.1 Authorship of Address & Origen’s Letter.............................................................37 2.3.2 Gregory and Athenodorus....................................................................................... 41 2.3.3 Occasion................................................................................................................... 47 2.3.4 Origen as Teacher.................................................................................................... 52 2.3.5 Gregory’s Conversion................................................. ...........................................54 2.3.6 Divine Hierarchy.......................................................................................................59 2.3.7 Letter from Origen...................................................................................................66 2.4 To Gaian (Tatian) on the Soul....................................................................................... 69 2.4.1 The claims of Justin Martyr...................................................................................69 2.4.2 Gregory to G aian.....................................................................................................72 2.4.3 Purpose & Argument...............................................................................................75 2.5 To Philagrius (Evagrius) on the Divinity.......................................................................78 2.5.1 Authorship................................................................................................................78 2.5.2 Doctrine of God....................................................................................................... 84 2.5.3 Gregory of Nazianzus..............................................................................................86 2.5.4 Audience...................................................................................................................88 2.6 Dialogue with Theopompus.............................................................................................90 2.6.1 Authorship................................................................................................................90 2.6.2 Suffering Impassibly................................................................................................92 2.6.3 Audience................................................................................................................... 94 2.6.4 Similarities to Other Minor W orks.........................................................................97 2.7 To Diognetus..................................................................................................................... 99 2.7.1 Authorship................................................................................................................99 2.7.2 Audiences................................................................................................................ 107 2.8 Biographical Accounts of Gregory............................................................................... I l l 2.9 Jerome & Socrates Scholasticus.................................................................................. 113 3 Christianity in Pontus.............................................................................................................115 3.1 Pontus................................................................................................................................117 3.1.1 A Distinctive Region............................................................................................. 117 3.1.2 Gods Ma& Men.....................................................................................................118 3.1.3 Persian divinities.....................................................................................................126 3.1.4 Hellenistic Religion & Local Cults.......................................................................129 3.1.5 Native Cults under the Romans............................................................................ 133 3.1.6 Constitutio Antoniniana......................................................................................... 139 1 3.2 Christian Beginnings....................................................................................................144 3.2.1 Christianity in the Apostolic Period.....................................................................144 3.2.2 2nd Century Christian Expansion.........................................................................149 3.2.3 Family & Education.............................................................................................. 152 3.2.4 Legal & Philosophical Education........................................................................156 3.2.5 Serving an Assessor in Pontus............................................................................. 162 3.2.6 Decian Persecution............................................................................................... 168 3.3 Church Leader.............................................................................................................. 174 3.3.1 Canonical Letter.....................................................................................................175 3.3.2 Paul of Samosata....................................................................................................196 3.3.3 Pontic Christians....................................................................................................205 4 Life of Gregory......................................................................................................................208 4.1 Sources............................................................................................................................ 212 4.1.1 Oral Traditions.......................................................................................................212 4.1.2 Letter to the Celibates........................................................................................... 217 4.1.3 Basil’s Synopsis.....................................................................................................223 4.1.4 Gregory of Nyssa’s Panegyric............................................................................. 225 4.1.5 Ordering the Stories...............................................................................................232 4.1.6 Rufinus’ Stories.....................................................................................................234 4.1.7 Derivative Versions...............................................................................................235