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Document Details :

Title: From Rhetorical Appropriation to Spiritual Transposition
Subtitle: The Homilies of Philagathos of Cerami and the Ancient Novels
Author(s): DULUŞ, Mircea Graţian
Journal: Byzantion
Volume: 91    Date: 2021   
Pages: 111-154
DOI: 10.2143/BYZ.91.0.3289880

Abstract :
This article charts the extensive textual appropriations from the ancient Greek novels of Heliodoros and Achilles Tatius in the Homilies of Philagathos of Cerami. By setting forth new textual evidence, it reveals the much deeper homiletic intertextual relationship with the ancient novels than hitherto ascertained. The analysis aims to portray a practice of reading entirely governed by scripture. It shows that the homilist exploited the novels for describing various scriptural stories, miracle events, for maxims and arythmological speculation. The analysis reveals that these appropriations are not incidental or mechanical, but discreetly triggered by literal clues and mirroring situations in the source texts that suggest connections with scriptural contexts. In addition, it pays attention to Philagathos’ allegorical treatise of Heliodoros’ Aethiopika and his epigram to the novel which provides a framework within which to assess the incorporation of novelistic material in the sermons.

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