A commentary on the "De Officiis" of St. Ambrose
The thesis is a study of the De Officiis of St. Ambrose, bishop of Milan, A.D. 374-397. The study is in two parts: an extensive Introduction, and a Commentary on the Latin text. The Introduction is in seven sections. Section I introduces the reader to Ambrose the author. It offers an outline of his life, a brief introduction to some of his most important works, and a look at the most celebrated event s of his ecclesiastical leadership. Sections II-VII are devoted to De Officiis. Section II commences with an examination of the evidence for the title and date of the work: the correct title is De Officiis, not De Officiis Ministrorum; the text is dated to the period late 388- 390. Ambrose's model is introduced: the De Officiis of Cicero, which draws on the Middle Stoicism of Panaetius and Posidonius. Ambrose imitates Cicero's three-Book structure (the honestum, the utile, and the relationship of the two) as well as his title, and just as Cicero writes for his son Marcus, so Ambrose writes for his clerical 'sons', the clergy, and especially the younger clergy, of Milan. A brief synopsis of Cicero's text is given, and the parallels in Ambrose's arrangement are pointed out. Ambrose's techniques and perspectives
Davidson, Ivor John
A commentary on the "De Officiis" of St. Ambrose. The thesis is a study of the De Officiis of St. Ambrose, bishop of Milan, A.D. 374-397. The study is in two parts: an extensive Introduction, and a Commentary on the Latin text. The Introduction is in seven sections. Section I introduces the reader to Ambrose the author. It offers an outline of his life, a brief introduction to some of his most important works, and a look at the most celebrated event s of his ecclesiastical leadership. Sections II-VII are devoted to De Officiis. Section II commences with an examination of the evidence for the title and date of the work: the correct title is De Officiis, not De Officiis Ministrorum; the text is dated to the period late 388- 390. Ambrose's model is introduced: the De Officiis of Cicero, which draws on the Middle Stoicism of Panaetius and Posidonius. Ambrose imitates Cicero's three-Book structure (the honestum, the utile, and the relationship of the two) as well as his title, and just as Cicero writes for his son Marcus, so Ambrose writes for his clerical 'sons', the clergy, and especially the younger clergy, of Milan. A brief synopsis of Cicero's text is given, and the parallels in Ambrose's arrangement are pointed out. Ambrose's techniques and perspectives
commentary study bishop milan study two_part extensive introduction commentary latin_text introduction section section introduces reader author offer outline life brief_introduction important work look event ecclesiastical leadership sections vii devote section commences examination evidence title date work correct title text dated period late model introduce cicero draw middle stoicism imitate cicero book structure relationship well title cicero write son write clerical sons clergy especially young clergy milan brief synopsis cicero text give parallel arrangement point_out technique perspective