Orations

Thirty-three orations have come down to us in Greek. However, several of them (Or. 23 and 33, and perhaps 28) are not fully preserved, and one is nothing more than a brief statement (Or. 25). In turn, Or. 12, which is included in several modern editions, is in reality a Humanist compilation in Greek, based on Or. 5 and other sources (Socrates Scholasticus, Hist. Ecc. IV, 32.1-5; Sozomen, Hist. Ecc. VI, 36, 6-7; 37, 1). First published in 1534, the Orationes were repeatedly reprinted.

Overviews:

• R.B. Todd, “Themistius”, in V. Brown et al., Catalogus translationum et commentariorum, Vol. VIII, The Catholic Univ. of America Press, Washington 2003, pp. 57-102
• J. Schamp – R.B. Todd – J. Watt, “Thémistios”, in Goulet (ed.), DPhA, Tome VI (2016), pp. 850-900.
• M. Schramm, “Themistios (§ 40)”, in Grundiss der Geschchte der Philosophie. Die Philosophie der Antike 5/1: Philosophie der Kaiserzeit und der Spätantike, ed. Chr. Riedweg – Chr. Horn – D. Wyrwa, Basel, Schwabe 2018, pp. 410-427, 451-445 (Bibliographie)
• E. Coda, “Themistius, Arabic”, in H. Lagerlund (ed.), Encyclopedia of Medieval Philosophy, Springer, Dordrecht 2011, pp. 1260-66.

§ 1 Editions:

Trincavelli (1534): Omnia Themistii opera, hoc est paraphrases, et orationes. Alexandri Aphrodisiensis libri duo de anima, et de fato unus, In aedibus haeredum Aldi Manutii et Andreae Asulani, Venetiis 1534 (Editio princeps: Or. 18-25). [Europeana]

Stephanus (1562): Themistii philosophi (Euphradae ab eloquentia cognominati) Orationes XIV. Harum sex posteriores nouae, caeterae emendationes prodeunt. Cum latina interpretatione, Excludebat Henricus Stephanus, Illustris viri Huldrichi Fuggeri Typographus, 1562 (Editio princeps: Or. 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, and new ed. Or. 18-25).

Morelli (1604): <Synesii Cyrenæi> Philadelphoi, Seu Fratrum Amantes, vel, De Benignitate Oratio, Nunc primum Graece prodit e Bibliotheca Reg. Ex interpretatione Fed. Morelli…, apud Feder. Morellum Architypographum Regium 1604 (Editio princeps: Or. 6. The attribution to Synesius is found in the ms of Or. 6 used by Morelli).

Remus (1605): Themisti Philosophi Euphradae Ab Eloquentia Dicti, Orationes Sex Augustales … Graece et nunc primum Latinum in sermonem conversae a Georgio Remo … Cum eiusdem Notis, Typis Johann. Schönfeldii, Ambergae Palatin. 1605 (Or. 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12; reprinted under a different title Thesaurus principium, Frankfurt 1614).

– W. Dindorf, Themistii orationes, Teubner, Leipzig 1832 (Hildesheim 1961).
– H. Schenkl† – G. Downey – A.F. Norman, Themistii orationes quae supersunt, Teubner, Leipzig 1965-1974:

• T. I (H. Schenkl† – G. Downey, 1965, Or. 1-19, and the ps-Them. Or. 12),
• T. II  (H. Schenkl† – G. Downey – A. F. Norman, 1971, Or.  20-34);
• T. III (H. Schenkl† – G. Downey – A. F. Norman, 1974, fragmenta, dubia, testimonia, works known in Arabic and Syriac, Demegoria Constantii)

– R. Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, UTET, Torino 1995.

Forthcoming Editions :
– Critical edition with French trans. and notes by O. Ballériaux† and J. Schamp (Les Belles Lettres, Collection des Universités de France).

Studies & Critical Reviews of the Editions:
Maisano, “Nota Critica”, in Id., Discorsi di Temistio (quoted above), pp. 65-106.
O. Ballériaux†, “Prolégomènes à une nouvelle édition critique des Discours de Thémistios”, RHT 31 (2001), pp. 49-55.

§ 2 Translations:

English:
– P. Heather – D. Moncur, Politics, Philosophy, and Empire in the Fourth Century. Select Orations of Themistius, Liverpool 2001, «coll. Translated Texts for Historians 36» (Eng. trans.: Or. 1, Demegoria Constantii, Or. 3, Or. 5-6, Or. 14-17, Or. 34).
– D. Moncur in P. Heather – J. Matthews, The Goths in the Fourth Century, Liverpool 1991, in part. pp. 26-36 (Eng. trans.: Or. 8), pp. 36-50 (Eng. trans.: Or. 10).
– R.J. Penella, The Private Orations of Themistius, Univ. of California Press, Oakland CA 1999, coll. «Transformation of the Classical Heritage» (Eng. trans.: Or. 20-34, and in appendix Or. 17 ).
– J.G. Smeal, Themistios. The Twenty-Third Oration (Diss. Vanderbilt Univ., Nashville, Tennessee), Ann Arbor 1989 –non vidi, pp. 99-119.

Spanish:
– J. Ritoré Ponce, Discursos políticos, Madrid 2000 (Spanish trans.: Or. 1-19, and in appendix Demegoria Constantii).

French:
– H. Kesters, Plaidoyer d’un socratique contre le Phèdre de Platon. XXVIe discours de Thémistius. Introduction, texte et traduction, Leuven-Paris 1959 (French trans.: Or. 26).
– J. Schamp, dans D. J. O’Meara – J. Schamp (eds), Miroirs de prince de l’empire romain au IVe siècle, Paris 2006, pp. 186-251 (French trans.: Or. 6 + introduction and notes).

Italian:
– Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio (Italian trans.: Or. 1-34, see above § 1)
– M. Conterno, Temistio Orientale, Paideia, Brescia 2014, p. 121-136 (It. trans. Or. 22: Greek text), pp. p. 51-67 (It. trans. Or. 22: Syriac abridged version).

German:
S. Oppermann, Εἰς τὸν ἑαυτοῦ πατέρα. Βασανιστὴς ἢ φιλόσοφος (20. und 21. Rede), Diss. Göttingen 1962, pp. 2-52, pp. 54-94 (German trans.: Or. 20-21).
H. Schneider, Themistius Die 34. Rede des Themistios. Einleitung, Übersetzung und Kommentar, Winterthur 1966, pp. 56-88, pp. 57-89 (German trans.: Or. 34).
H. Leppin – W. Portmann, Themistios Staatsreden, Stuttgart 1998 (German trans. Or. 1-11, and Or. 13-19).

Public Orations

(1) Περὶ φιλανθρωπίας ἢ Κωνστάντιος, (346-347 CE according to Balleriaux 1996)

Translations:
Italian translation by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 113-153 / English translation by P. Heather – D. Moncur, Politics, Philosophy, and Empire, pp. / Spanish trans. Ritoré Ponce, Discursos políticos / German trans. Leppin – Portmann, Themistios Staatsreden.

Studies:
– Date of the Or. 1:
O. Ballériaux, “La date du ΠΕΡΙ ΦΙΛΑΝΘΡΩΠΙΑΣ Η ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΟΣ (discours I) de Thémistios”, Byzantion 66 (1996), pp. 319-334, part. p. 320 (346/347 CE).
J. Vanderspoel, Themistius and the Imperial Court. Oratory, Civic Duty, and Padeia from Constantius to Theodosius, Ann Arbor 1995, p. 48 and pp. 72-77 (347 CE).

(2) Εἰς Κωνστάντιον τὸν αὐτοκράτορα, ὅτι μάλιστα φιλόσοφος ὁ βασιλεὺς ἢ χαριστήριος (after november 355 CE)

Translations:
Italian trans. by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 169-207.

(2a) Δημηγορία Κωνσταντίου αὐτοκράτορος πρὸς τὴν σύγκλητον ὑπὲρ Θεμιστίου, Demegoria Constantii or Constantii oratio (1 Sept. 355)

The origin of the Greek text of the Demegoria, or Constantii oratio, is disputed, though there is a general consensus that Constance’s chancelry had a role: for details cf. Heather-Moncur, Politics, Philosophy, and Empire (quoted § 1), p. 97, n. 154.
An analysis of this letter “as an historical document from a theoretical perspective” is provided by L.J. Daly, “Constantius’ Adlection of Themistius to the Byzantine Senate: Elite Mobility in the Late Roman Empire”, Proceedings of the Ohio Academy of History 2002, pp. 14-27 (quotation from p. 26, Link last consulted 12 Jan. 2020).

Themistius’ pivotal role in conveying to later ages the “Hellenic wisdom” – the σοφία Ἑλληνική mentioned in the Demegoria – is well known. He sided with the idea of ethical and political engagement of the philosopher, who “passing judgment in union with the highest power” (Or. 34, § 7: βραβεύουσαν τὰ δίκαια φιλοσοφίαν μετὰ τῆς μεγίστης δυνάμεως) does not limit himself to speaking about the philosophical ideals, but is constantly engaged in putting them into practice. The implications of Themistius’ stance are stated by R. Sorabji in the section entitled “Themistius” of his Introduction to Aristotle Re-Interpreted. New Findings on Seven Hundred Years of the Ancient Commentators, ed. by R. Sorabji, Bloomsbury, London [etc] 2016, pp. 17-18.

(3) Πρεσβευτικὸς ὑπὲρ Κωνσταντινουπόλεως ῥηθεὶς ἐν ῾Ρώμη (Mai 357)

Translations:
Italian trans. by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp.  209-229.

(4) Εἰς τὸν αὐτοκράτορα Κωνστάντιον ἢ Φιλόπολις, (357 CE)

Translations:
Italian trans. by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp.  231-263.

(5) Ὑπατικὸς εἰς τὸν αὐτοκράτορα Ἰοβιανόν, (1 Jan. 364)

Translations:
Italian trans. by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 265-287.

(6) Φιλάδελφοι ἢ περὶ φιλανθρωπίας, (364/365 CE)

Themistius’ Or. 6 proclaims philantropia as the key term for the affinity between the ruler and God, and logos as the cause of the affinity of all the human beings among them and with God.

Translations:
Italian trans. by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 289-319.

Studies:

–Philosophical background:

E. Coda, “Divine Providence and Human Logos in Themistius. Some Philosophical Sources of Discourse 6”, Studia graeco-arabica 8 (2018), pp. 67-84 [External Link].

(7) Περὶ τῶν ἠτυχηκότων ἐπὶ Οὐάλεντος (366/367 CE)

Translations:
Italian trans. by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 319-361.

(8) Πενταετηρικός, (9 March 368)

Translations:
Italian trans. by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 363-405

(9) Προτρεπτικὸς Οὐαλεντινιανῷ νέῳ, (366 CE)

Translations:
Italian trans. by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 407-427.

(10) Ἐπὶ τῆς εἰρήνης Οὐάλεντι, (369 CE)

Translations:
Italian trans. by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 429-457

(11) Δεκετηρικὸς ἢ περὶ τῶν πρεπόντων τῷ βασιλεῖ, (28 March 373)

Translations:
Italian trans. by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 459-485.

(12) Ad Valentem de religionibus [Πρὸς Οὐάλεντα περὶ τῶν θρησκειῶν, (375-376 CE). Lost to us in Greek.

Or. 12, which is included in several modern editions, is in reality a compilation in Greek by Andreas Dudith, based on Or. 5 and other sources.

(13) Ἐρωτικός, ἢ περὶ κάλλους βασιλικοῦ, (376 CE).

Translations:
Italian trans. by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 489-531.

(14) Πρεσβευτικὸς εἰς Θεοδόσιον, Embassy to the Emperor Theodosius (379 CE)

Oration 14 cannot be dated exactly, but the general circumstances of its delivery are clear enough. Themistius’ first speech to the Emperor Theodosius, it was not delivered in the immediate aftermath of his election to the purple on 19 January 379 (cf. Heather-Moncur, Politics, Philosophy, and Empire, p. 218).

Translations:
Italian trans. by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 533-543 / English trans. by Heather – Moncur, Politics, Philosophy, and Empire, pp. 225-229.

(15) Εἰς Θεοδόσιον, τίς ἡ βασιλικωτάτη τῶν ἀρετῶν, To Theodosius or The Most Royal of the Virtues (381 CE)

Translations:
Italian trans. by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 545-577 / English trans. by Heather – Moncur, Politics, Philosophy, and Empire, pp. 236-254.

(16) Χαριστήριος τῷ αὐτοκράτορι, ὑπὲρ τῆς εἰρήνης καὶ τῆς ὑπατείας τοῦ στρατηγοῦ Σατορνίνου, Speech of Thanksgiving to the Emperor for the Peace and the Consulship of the General Saturninus (1 Jan. 383)

Themistius composed this oration to celebrate the consulship of Flavius Saturninus (Magister Militum) as one of the architects of the peace deal concluded with the Goths in October 382.

Translations:
Italian trans. by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 579-609; English trans. by Heather – Moncur, Politics, Philosophy, and Empire, pp. 265-284.

(17) Ἐπὶ τῇ χειροτονίᾳ τῆς πολιαρχίας, On the Election to the Urban Prefecture (384 CE)

This short speech cannot be dated precisely,

Translations:
Italian trans. by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp.  / English trans. by Heather – Moncur, Politics, Philosophy, and Empire, pp. 299-303.

(18) Περὶ τῆς τοῦ βασιλέως φιληκοΐας (384 CE)

(19) Ἐπὶ τῇ φιλανθρωπίᾳ τοῦ Θεοδοσίου (25 Aug. 383)

Private Orations

(20) Εἰς τὸν αὑτοῦ πατέρα, A Funeral Oration in Honor of His Father (1 Sept. 355)

Themistius’ presents the philosophical education at Eugenius’ feets as his ancestors’ legacy (cf. Or. 20, 233 D; 23, 288 D, 2, 28 D-29 A). He was the only one among his brothers to become a philosopher (Or. 20, 233 D-234 A), even though philosophy was part and parcel of the education of the upper class: cf. Or. 27, 332 D-333 B).

Translations:
Italian translation by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 667-685; English translation by Penella, The Private Orations of Themistius, pp. 88-107

Studies:
–On Themistius’ father, Eugenius
O. Ballériaux, “Eugenios”, in R. Goulet (ed.), Dictionnaire des Philosophes Antiques, Tome III, CNRS-Éditions, Paris 2000, pp. 306-7.

(21) Βασανιστὴς ἢ φιλόσοφος, The Examiner, or, The Philosopher (between 345 and 355 CE according to Maisano)

Translations:
Italian translation by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 687-733; English translation by Penella, The Private Orations of Themistius, pp. 61-87

(22) Περὶ φιλίας, On Friendship

An abridgedment is extant in Syriac and published by E. Sachau, Inedita Syriaca. Eine Sammlung syrischer Übersetzungen von Schriften griechischer Profanliteratur, Wien 1870 (repr. Hildesheim 1968), pp. 48-75.

Manuscript traditions:
Greek: Venezia, Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana, Gr. 513 (coll. 770)

Syriac: London, British Library, Add. 17, 209 (IX sec. according to Wright, Catalogue of the Syriac Manuscriots, III, 1184-8).

Translations:
Greek: Italian translation by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 737-775; English translation by Penella, The Private Orations of Themistius, pp. 88-107

Syriac: Italian translation by M. Conterno, Temistio Orientale, pp. 47-67.

(23) Σοφιστής, The Sophist (358/359 CE according to Maisano; 377/378 CE according to Seeck)

Translations:
Italian translation by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 777-815; English translation by Penella, The Private Orations of Themistius, pp. 108-127

(24) Προτρεπτικὸς Νικομηδεῦσιν εἰς φιλοσοφίαν, An Exhortation to the Nicomedians

Translations:
Italian translation by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 817-837; English translation by Penella, The Private Orations of Themistius, pp. 128-137

(25) Πρὸς τοὺς ἀξιώσαντας λέγειν ἐκ τοῦ παραχρῆμα, In Reply to One Who Asked for an Extempore Oration

Translations:
Italian translation by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 839-843; English translation by Penella, The Private Orations of Themistius, pp. 138-139

(26) Ὑπὲρ τοῦ λέγειν, ἢ πῶς τῷ φιλοσόφῳ λεκτέον, <On Speaking, or, How the Philosopher Should Speak> (359 CE)

Translations:
Italian translation by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 845-889; English translation by Penella, The Private Orations of Themistius, pp. 140-163

(27) Περὶ τοῦ μηδὲν τοῖς τόποις, ἀλλὰ καὶ τοῖς ἀνδράσι προσέχειν, On the Need to Give Thought, Not to Where [We Study] but to the Men [Who Will Teach Us]

Translations:
Italian translation by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 891-913; English translation by Penella, The Private Orations of Themistius, pp. 164-174.

(28) Ἡ ἐπὶ τῷ λόγῳ διάλεξις, The Disquisition on Speaking

Translations:
Italian translation by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 915-921; English translation by Penella, The Private Orations of Themistius, pp. 175-177.

(29) Πρὸς τοὺς οὐκ ὀρθῶς ἐξηγουμένους τὸν σοφιστήν, In Reply to Those Who Interpret [His Oration] “The Sophist” Incorrectly (359 CE according to Maisano)

Translations:
Italian translation by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 923-933; English translation by Penella, The Private Orations of Themistius, pp. 178-183.

(30) Θέσις, εἰ γεωργητέον, Should One Engage in Farming?

Translations:
Italian translation by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 935-943; English translation by Penella, The Private Orations of Themistius, pp. 184-188.

(31) Περὶ προεδρίας εἰς τὴν σύγκλητον,  Concerning His Presidency [of the Senate] (384CE according to Maisano)

Translations:
Italian translation by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 945-955; English translation by Penella, The Private Orations of Themistius, pp. 189-193.

(32) Μετριοπαθὴς ἢ φιλότεκνος, On Moderation of One’s Emotions, or, On Love of One’s Children

Translations:
Italian translation by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 957-975; English translation by Penella, The Private Orations of Themistius, pp. 194-203.

(33) <Περὶ τῶν ὀνομάτων τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ τοῦ ὑπάτου> [Title lost]

Translations:
Italian translation by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 977-987; English translation by Penella, The Private Orations of Themistius, pp. 204-208.

(34) Πρὸς τοὺς αἰτιασαμένους ἐπὶ τῷ δέξασθαι τὴν ἀρχήν, In Reply to Those Who Found Fault with Him for Accepting Public Office (385 CE)

Translations:
Italian translation by Maisano, Discorsi di Temistio, pp. 989-1027; English translation by Penella, The Private Orations of Themistius, pp. 209-230.

Studies
– The rhetorical structure:
H. Schneider, Die 34. Rede Des Themistius (peri tes arxes), Einleitung, Übersetzung und Kommentar, P.G. Keller, Winterthur 1966, pp. 19-22 (an outline).
A.D. Leeman, Orationis Ratio: The Stylistic Theories and Practice of the Roman Orators, Historians and Philosophers, Amsterdam 1963, pp. 26-8, p. 49 (on the rhetorical theory behind such speeches).