A pagan sophist and Christian bishops: correspondence between Libanius and Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium, and Optimus, Bishop of Antioch in Pisidia. Translation and Comments

Abstract

The 4th-6th centuries have deservedly been called the "golden age" of epistolography. For the people of this time, epistolary communication performed several important functions. Letters not only helped to maintain contacts with correspondents, but also contributed to building a complex system of social ties. This work presents a translation of two letters from Libanius addressed to his students, who later became bishops.