Rufinus and the Reimagination of Pliny’s Correspondence with Trajan (HE 3.33)
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Published:2022-03-01
Issue:2
Volume:76
Page:202-216
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ISSN:0042-6032
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Container-title:Vigiliae Christianae
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language:
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Short-container-title:Vigiliae Christ.
Author:
Hanaghan Michael Peter1ORCID
Affiliation:
1. Research Fellow, Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry, Australian Catholic University https://dx.doi.org/95359 Melbourne, Victoria Australia
Abstract
Abstract
Rufinus’ account of Pliny the Younger’s correspondence with Trajan regarding the treatment of Christians (Ep. 10.96–7) differs from Eusebius’ in three important ways: linking persecution to internal divisions within the Church; accentuating Pliny’s compassion for the Christian dead; and removing his skepticism regarding the Christian worship of a divine Christ. This article analyses these changes in light of Rufinus’ early fifth century context, especially the development of the cult of martyrs in northern Italy, and the Theodosian use of Trajan in imperial representations.
Subject
Linguistics and Language,History,Language and Linguistics,Cultural Studies,Archeology,Religious studies