IN DIFESA DELLA RETORICA E DELLA POESIA: SINESIO DI CIRENE CONTRO GLI ΣΤΑΣΙΩΤΑΙ ΤHΣ ΑΓΛΩΤΤΙΑΣ

Abstract

In ep. CLIV and Dio V 3 (cf. XV 4), Synesius attacks ‘silent’ philosophers, i.e., those who despise rhetoric and poetry. The article retraces the background of the controversy (Dio Chrysostom, Themistius) and it shows how Synesius uses such controversy to elaborate his humanistic ideal of culture, which mediates between philosophy and humanae litterae. Finally, the article makes some comparisons between Synesius and Gregory of Nazianzus, showing the substantial affinities between the two authors on the defense of the formally polished logos, nourished by rhetorical and literary culture.