Literatura klasyczna w budowaniu autorytetu własnego Hieronima ze Strydonu
Classical Literature in Building the Personal Authority of Jerome of Stridon

Summary/Abstract: RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The aim of the article is to establish what Jerome of Stridon based his assessment of the value of studying classical literature on from a Christian perspective, and how this influenced the strengthening of his personal prestige. RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: The research problem concerns the interesting phenomenon of reflection on the possibility and scope of early Christian authors' use of pagan writings and the implication of their content in broadly understood theological discourse. To illustrate the issue, a philological analysis of sources was carried out, and their interpretation is interdisciplinary. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: To achieve the research objective, fragments of three letters, differing in taxonomy, are analyzed, in which Jerome expresses his opinion on secular literature. Looking at the texts studied through the comparative method allows us to notice the author's adjustment of his statements depending on the nature of the letter, its addressee, and its purpose. RESEARCH RESULTS: The analysis of Jerome's statements on classical literature in the source material proposed in the article shows that Jerome constructs his opinions guided by the purpose of a given letter, trying to make his statements fit the structure and purpose of the letter (exegetical, exhortative, apologetic). As a consequence of these actions, he more or less consciously strengthens his own authority. CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Despite extensive literature on the history of the Church at the turn of the 4th and 5th centuries, there still seems to be an open and not fully explored space for inquiry into the influence of pagan heritage on late antique Christianity, which was consolidating its position.

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