Abstract
Progymnasmata were the ‘preliminary exercises’ assigned to students following the hellenistic curriculum of rhetorical education. They were designed for boys who had already learnt to read and write, and were intended to prepare them for training in declamation, which they would begin at the age of 12. The significance of the hellenistic rhetorical curriculum at the roots of every aspect of Western culture, from the theology of the church fathers to the literature of the early modern period, has been often underscored in recent decades, and this has provided impetus for translation of a number of hitherto untranslated texts, as well as extensive research into the rhetorical schools. George A. Kennedy offered versions of progymnasmata by Theon, Hermogenes, Aphthonius and Nicolaus in 2003 (also published by Brill); Rafaella Cribiore brought out a study of Libanius’ school in 2007. Gibson’s elegant edition of Libanius’ Progymnasmata continues and complements the work of both.
Libanius of Antioch (314-393) was a well-known public figure of the later Roman Empire, who was appointed the official sophist of his native city in 355, where he remained for the rest of his life. He was responsible for one of the most distinguished rhetorical schools of his day. A pagan himself, his students nonetheless included both John Chrysostom and Basil the Great. He is not known ever to have written a handbook on rhetoric, but the progymnasmata attributed to him offer insight into the education received under his supervision. The collection includes some exercises whose authenticity has been disputed, but which offer a broader perspective on the influence of his school, and the coherence of this educational staple of late antiquity.
One of the most valuable aspects of the presentation of the exercises in this volume is that Greek and English versions appear on facing pages, thus making it possible to use the book as a reference work for research. The Greek text is based on R. Foerster’s edition from 1903-27, while the English is the first full translation in any modern language. The English version reads fluently and remains close to the Greek, even if it cannot always capture the nuances of the original (e.g. paroinia insinuates drunken behaviour, which ‘gross violence’ alone does not; akrasia is more about lack of self-control than ‘bad temperament’ (Invective 1.22, p.275). Annotations identify key intertexts and concisely explain allusions that the ancient author assumed his audience would recognise. The Progymnasmata are divided into exercises in fable, in narration, anecdote, maxim, refutation and confirmation, common topics, encomium, invective, comparison, speech-in-character, description, thesis and the introduction of a law. Each section is briefly introduced by Gibson. The book includes a bibliography, an index of topics, and an index of passages cited.
This volume is a fine tool for the study of rhetoric, and is valuable for all those whose work is touched by the influence of late hellenistic paideia. It is also a treasure-trove of engaging set-pieces for the general reader in the classical tradition, from the story of how the jackdaw almost won a beauty contest when judged by false feathers, to the witty encomium on Thersites, challenging Homer himself.