Dialoguing in Late Antiquity by Averil Cameron (review)

• DOI: 10.1353/earl.2015.0004
• Publication Date: 2015-03-15T13:00:09Z
• Authors: Maria E. Doerfler
• Keywords: Late Antiquity; Dialogical Self; Discernment

Reviewed by: Dialoguing in Late Antiquity by Averil Cameron Maria Doerfler Washington, D.C.: Center for Hellenic Studies Cambridge, Mass., and London: Harvard University Press, 2014 Pp. 98. $19.95. Did the ascendancy of Christianity later parts late antiquity spell end dialogue? This is question Cameron’s most recent monograph, Antiquity, seeks to address.1 The answer, course, hinges large part on how “dialogue” ought be defined: an open-ended intellectual give-and-take, which both parties are engaged a shared process discernment, or somewhat more expansive understanding that includes exchanges which, while dialogical form, might reflect less “open” spirit. former definition has shaped accounts “end dialogue” antiquity, including those Richard Lim Daniel Boyarin. volume, contrast, relies upon latter, arguing do otherwise gives too much credit classical dialogues little antiquity. In short, “Contrary idea discussion was ‘shut down’ fifth sixth century, what happened very opposite” (9): proliferated number diversity, ranging from philosophical, self-consciously interreligious, highly rhetorically stylized. Rather than focusing any one these categories, book casts wide net premise studying genre’s seemingly disparate representatives conjunction with another will yield important insights its subsets. [End Page 141] resulting study attests characteristic erudition; bibliography, weighing at nearly quarter entire bound serve as starting point many future studies whose necessity highlights. At same time, aims introduce audiences all levels expertise intriguing ancient texts. After opening chapter surveys status quaestionis dialogue studies, accordingly turns first historical evidence debate this era (Chapter Two), then three literary exemplars practices Three). Of these, Methodius, well-known Symposium, likely familiar students By Theodoret’s Eranistes, collection concerning nature Christ, self-styled pre-Islamic Dialexis between Gregentius Taphar Herban, learned Jew, promise glimpses into obscure territory. texts chosen their diversity rather coherence; indeed, aside format, connects writings another. Yet each them shows traces complex intersection rhetorical historical, production text discourse “on ground” characterize dialogue. lines evidently blur, yet analysis demonstrates once again orthodoxy remained moving target ancient, even Byzantine, were not mere shell-games. Amidst “Christian had purpose; it dialogue’s sake” (55). Beyond substantive importance historians however, contribution offers valuable challenges two additional fronts. First, works out central argument least initially critique predecessors, strives re-open conversation providing definitive answer role As such, can read invitation fabulously diverse still insufficiently well-considered range sources. token, determination cast net, considering sources through Byzantine Eastern languages, calls attention methodological facing historians. decades, have begun forge connections disciplines previously considered discrete including, inter alia, Syriac studies. ever-greater integration fields surely salutary, raises questions about...