The Greek Historia Monachorum in Aegypto was one of the most widely read and disseminated Greek hagiographic texts during Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages. To this day it remains, alongside Athanasius' Life of Antony, one of the core primary sources for fourth-century Egyptian monasticism as well as one of the most fascinating, yet perplexing, pieces of monastic hagiography to survive from the entire patristic period. However, until now it has not received the intensive and sustained scholarly analysis that a monograph affords. In this study, Andrew Cain incorporates insights from source criticism, stylistic and rhetorical analysis, literary criticism, and historical, geographical, and theological studies in an attempt to break new ground and revise current scholarly orthodoxy about a broad range of interpretive issues and problems.
Introduction 1: The Text Deconstructing the 'Lost Primitive Greek HM' theory Restoring the Primacy of G Syriac Translations of the HM Status of the Greek Text 2: Provenance, Date, and Authorship Provenance Date of Composition Candidates for Authorship Intentional Anonymity 3: Genre Itineraria Collective Biography Encomium Acta Martyrum Apophthegmata Partum Sui Generis 4: Literary Influences and Intertexts Classical Greek Literature The Bible The Life of Antony 5: Style Figures of Sound Figures of Repetition Figures of Redundancy Figures of Parallelism Figures of Imagery Other Figures of Rhetoric Prose Rhythm Conclusion 7: The New Prophets and Apostles Direct typology (Old Testament) Indirect typology (Old Testament) Indirect typology (New Testament) Indirect typology (Inter-Testamental) The HM as postbiblical Scripture 8: Characterization and the Unholy Other Pagans Syrian ascetics Manichaean heretics Conclusion 9: Through Them the World is Sustained Paradise regained Conservators of humanity Ministers of salvation 10: A Manual for Monastic Living Intended audience The monks as exemplars and teachers The monastic regimen Conclusion 11: Piety and Propaganda Evagrius in the HM Active vs. contemplative monasticism Pure prayer Apatheia Demons and impure thoughts Evagrius and his teachings in Rufinus Latin HM Conclusion Bibliography
Andrew Cain is Associate Professor of Classics at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Reviews for The Greek Historia Monachorum in Aegypto: Monastic Hagiography in the Late Fourth Century
Now that the study of hagiography boasts several sound critical editions and translations into modern languages, it is crucial to proceed with monographs devoted to works that shaped the development of this particular branch of literature and, beyond that, the thought-world of late antique and medieval society. Should this be undertaken by such well-read and thoughtful commentators as the present author, we have good reason tobe optimistic. --The Catholic Historical Review Cain's book will likely become the definitive text on the [Historia monachorum in Aegypto]. His research is excellent, his arguments well documented, and the theses of the eleven chapters will provide ample foundation for years of further scholarship In short, Cain has ensured that any subsequent books or articles on the HMA must engage with this monograph. That alone places him, and this book, in rare company. -- Reading Religion Cain's book will likely become the definitive text on the [Historia monachorum in Aegypto]. His research is excellent, his arguments well documented, and the theses of the eleven chapters will provide ample foundation for years of further scholarship In short, Cain has ensured that any subsequent books or articles on the HMA must engage with this monograph. That alone places him, and this book, in rare company. -- Reading Religion
