Ammianus and the massacre of Alexandria (RG 22.11), an example of ‘latent argumentation’
Abstract
This article studies Ammianus Marcellinus’ Res Gestae 22.11. In that chapter the principal event is the massacre of Bishop George of Cappadocia at the hands of an angry Alexandrian mob. Unlike the other ancient sources, Ammianus places the event out of its chronological context and explains it as a consequence of the death of Arthemius, a previous general of Egypt. Guy Sabbah's concepts of ‘argumentation techniques’ (a series of rhetorical devices with which the author of the RG doses the information) and ‘latent argumentation’ are taken into account in the close reading. This interpretive approach allows us to glimpse in what way Ammianus safeguards the image of Julian as a just judge.
Downloads
Article download
Crossmark
License
In order to support the global exchange of knowledge, the journal Cuadernos de Filología Clásica. Estudios latinos is allowing unrestricted access to its content as from its publication in this electronic edition, and as such it is an open-access journal. The originals published in this journal are the property of the Complutense University of Madrid and any reproduction thereof in full or in part must cite the source. All content is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 use and distribution licence (CC BY 4.0). This circumstance must be expressly stated in these terms where necessary. You can view the summary and the complete legal text of the licence.
