Did Gregory of Nyssa Author Diatribes? The Case of "De mortuis"
Did Gregory of Nyssa Author Diatribes? The Case of "De mortuis"
Author(s): Marta PrzyszychowskaSubject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, History of Church(es)
Published by: Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II
Keywords: Gregory of Nyssa; Diatribe; Cynicism; Resurrection; Patristic philosophy; Antioch on the Orontes;
Summary/Abstract: In the article, I have advanced the thesis that De mortuis by Gregory of Nyssa is a diatribe which is why it differs from his other writings on resurrection, namely De anima et resurrectione and De opificio hominis. Actually, it is not only different from them, but contains contradictions in itself as a customary rhetorical argumentation in utramque partem. De mortuis is a masterpiece of philosophical speech, focused on morality; its goal is to convince the audience to change their habits of grieving, rather than to provide ontological explanations. As its possible addressee, I have identified three milieus, out of which I am inclined to point at Antioch as the most probable place of its delivery.
Journal: Vox Patrum
- Issue Year: 2026
- Issue No: 99
- Page Range: 559-576
- Page Count: 18
- Language: English
