Translation of Libanius' Progymnasmata: A Collection of Ancient Greek Rhetorical Exercises

FAIN: FA-52245-06

Craig Alan Gibson
University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA 52242-1320)

This project is an annotated translation of Libanius' Progymnasmata, the largest surviving ancient collection of model exercises in Greek prose composition.

Associated Products

Libanius's Progymnasmata: Model Exercises in Greek Prose Composition and Rhetoric (Book)
Title: Libanius's Progymnasmata: Model Exercises in Greek Prose Composition and Rhetoric
Author: Craig A. Gibson
Abstract: This volume presents the original text and the first English translation of the largest surviving collection of "preliminary exercises" used to teach young men how to compose their own prose, a crucial step toward public speaking and a career worthy of the educated elite. Graded in difficulty, the exercises range from simple fables and narratives to discussions of wise sayings, speeches of praise and blame, impersonations of figures from myth, descriptions of statues and paintings, and essays on general propositions (e.g., "should one marry?"). It provides a unique glimpse into the schoolrooms of the ancient Mediterranean from the Hellenistic period to the Byzantine Empire, vividly illustrating how ancient educators used myth, history, and popular ethics to shape their students' characters as they sharpened their ability to think, write, and speak.
Year: 2008
Primary URL: http://https://secure.aidcvt.com/sbl/ProdDetails.asp?ID=061627P&PG=1&Type=BL&PCS=SBL
Publisher: Society of Biblical Literature
Type: Translation
ISBN: 9781589833609

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