Gratian as optimus princeps – the Literary Image of “an Ideal Emperor” in Gratiarum actio ad Gratianum Imperatorem by D.M. Ausonius and the Laudatio in Gratianum Augustum of Q.A. Symmachus
Gratian as optimus princeps – the Literary Image of “an Ideal Emperor” in Gratiarum actio ad Gratianum Imperatorem by D.M. Ausonius and the Laudatio in Gratianum Augustum of Q.A. Symmachus

Summary/Abstract: Ausonius and Symmachus addressed their speeches to the em-peror Gratian, the son of Valentinian I. Ausonius included in his gratiarumactio two praises of the young emperor in order to express his gratitude forthe consulate he received; Symmachus delivered his laudatio in honour ofthe ruler at a meeting of the Roman senate. In their speeches both authorsshowed not so much a real image of Gratian as an individual but rathera literary creation of optimus princeps. Gratian is presented as an idealthat is artificial in its perfection: he loses his individual and true characteristics and appears to be pasted into a panegyric-propaganda scheme based on literary convention as well as the slogans of imperial state ideology. In this article we aim to present the literary image of Gratian as “an ideal em-peror”, which emerges from both laudatory speeches, as well as to pointout the literary devices, motifs, panegyrical techniques and ideological topoi used in its creation.

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