(Im)pious Sisterhood: Maximus the Cynic’s Dangerous Liaisons: On Greg. Naz. carm. II 1, 41, Contra Maximum (Once again)

• De Blasi, Alessandro ^[1]
  1. [1] University of Padua

     University of Padua

     Padova, Italia

     
• Localización: Studia philologica valentina, ISSN 1135-9560, Nº. 26, 2024 (Ejemplar dedicado a: STVDIA PHILOLOGICA VALENTINA), págs. 161-184
• Idioma: inglés
• Títulos paralelos:
  • (Im)pious Sisterhood: Maximus the Cynic’s Dangerous Liaisons. A new conjecture on Greg. Naz. carm. II 1, 41, Contra Maximum: On Greg. Naz. carm. II 1, 41, Contra Maximum (Once again)
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     This paper examines Gregory of Nazianzus’ poem (II 1, 41) against his rival Maximus the Cynic, arguing that a gender-oriented reconsideration of women’s roles in Early Christianity yields significant textual-critical insights. In vv.49-53, the author appears to reference female assistants who allegedly conjured with Maximus against Gregory, yet this allusion remains obscure and requires further investigation. After a review of existing scholarship, the paper presents a new analysis and interpretation of the passage. By placing this reference within a broader context and exploring parallels with female communities in Gregory’s works and contemporary patristic literature, it becomes evident that Gregory’s accusation is related to the emerging phenomenon of «syneisaktism». This thorough and updated analysis achieves two main objectives. Firstly, it offers a new, more detailed, and culturally aware interpretation of the poem. Secondly, by examining the manuscript tradition of the passageand its Syriac translation, it highlights its corruption and advances a new conjecture.

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    This paper focuses on analyzing Gregory of Nazianzus’ poem (II 1, 41) against his rival Maximus the Cynic, aiming to reconsider the role of women in Early Christianity from a gender-oriented perspective. In a specific passage (v. 49-53), the author appears to reference female assistants who allegedly supported Maximus’s betrayal, yet this allusion remains obscure and requires further investigation. Following a review of existing scholarship, the paper presents a new analysis and interpretation of the passage in view of a forthcoming critical edition of the entire poem. By placing this reference within a broader context and exploring parallels with female communities in Gregory’s works and contemporary patristic literature, it becomes evident that Gregory’s accusation is related to the emerging phenomenon of «syneisaktism». This thorough and updated analysis aims to achieve two main objectives. Firstly, it offers a new, more detailed, and culturally aware interpretation of the poem. Secondly, by examining its manuscript tradition, including its Syriac translation, it demonstrates the passage's corruption, thereby proposing a new conjecture.