Future Knowledge And Imperial Acceptance In Late Antique Historiography And Epideictic Rhetoric

Download or read book Future Knowledge and Imperial Acceptance in Late Antique Historiography and Epideictic Rhetoric written by Michael Hanaghan and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2024-12-19 with total page 300 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book analyses late antique historiography and epideictic texts, focusing on how divine knowledge of imperial futures safeguarded the legitimacy of Roman emperors. It begins with Constantine and his tetrarchic colleagues (A), before moving to Constantius II and Julian (B), then Valens (C), and ending with Theodosius and Honorius (D).The impact of future knowledge in these texts could be felt both in the present circumstances of their composition and in perpetuity, as visions of the future reflect either the confidence or boastful arrogance of history’s protagonists, their divine inspiration or doom, and ultimately, their place in imperial memory.