The culture and political world of the fourth century AD : Julian, paideia and education
This thesis examines the role of education and paideia in the political and cultural landscape of the mid-fourth century, focusing on the Greek East and the reign of Julian, particularly his educational measures. Julian's edict and rescript on education are often understood (not least in light of the invectives of Gregory of Nazianzus) as marking an attempt on his part to ban Christians from teaching and, by extension, from engaging in elite public life. They have been used by some scholars as evidence to support the hypothesis that Julian, a committed pagan, implemented an anti-Christian persecution. This thesis reconsiders that hypothesis: it re-evaluates the reign of Julian and his educational measures, and considers the political role of paideia as the culmination and public expression of rhetorical education. Chapter one introduces the topic and provides a brief 'literature review' of the key items for a study of Julian and education in the fourth century. Chapter two addresses rhetorical education in the fourth century: it offers a survey of its methods and content, and explores the idea of a 'typical' student in contrast with 'culture heroes'. Chapter three investigates the long-standing Christian debate
Hughes, Victoria Elizabeth
The culture and political world of the fourth century AD : Julian, paideia and education. This thesis examines the role of education and paideia in the political and cultural landscape of the mid-fourth century, focusing on the Greek East and the reign of Julian, particularly his educational measures. Julian's edict and rescript on education are often understood (not least in light of the invectives of Gregory of Nazianzus) as marking an attempt on his part to ban Christians from teaching and, by extension, from engaging in elite public life. They have been used by some scholars as evidence to support the hypothesis that Julian, a committed pagan, implemented an anti-Christian persecution. This thesis reconsiders that hypothesis: it re-evaluates the reign of Julian and his educational measures, and considers the political role of paideia as the culmination and public expression of rhetorical education. Chapter one introduces the topic and provides a brief 'literature review' of the key items for a study of Julian and education in the fourth century. Chapter two addresses rhetorical education in the fourth century: it offers a survey of its methods and content, and explores the idea of a 'typical' student in contrast with 'culture heroes'. Chapter three investigates the long-standing Christian debate
culture political world julian paideia education examines_role education paideia political_cultural landscape focus greek east reign julian particularly educational measure julian edict education often understood least light gregory mark attempt part ban christians teaching extension engage elite public_life use scholar evidence_support hypothesis julian commit pagan implement anti christian persecution reconsiders hypothesis re_evaluates reign julian educational measure considers political role paideia culmination public expression rhetorical education one_introduce topic provide_brief literature_review key item study julian education address rhetorical education offer survey method content explore idea typical student contrast culture hero investigate long_standing christian debate