Imerio e il suo tempo

This book is the first comprehensive study of Himerius'figure and work in the context of the late Roman empire. Unlike Libanius and Themistius Himerius is often considered a singing sophist who has no interests in politics and nothing to say. The book offers a challenging view and revalues the role of this very neglected Greek intellectual in the cultural and political history of the fourth century A. D. Three aspects are examined: 1) the Athenian milieu; 2) the speeches addressed to proconsuls of Greece; 3) the speeches declaimed in Constantinople and the relationships with Julian Emperor. Himerius stands out as a central figure of the Athenian revival in Late Antiquity and in the pagan foundation of Constantinople by Julian the Apostate.