A rhetorical (and stylistic) analysis of (Ps.)-Chrysostom's De terrae motu

Abstract

The impact of Chrysostom’s rhetorical training on his preaching and writings has consistently attracted the attention of scholars. Interestingly, Chrysostom himself denounced the use of empty rhetoric by Christian preachers who merely wanted to entertain the congregation by showing their eloquence, and who sought the approval of their audience (Hom xxx in Acta). However, Chrysostom also said that “Since we are weak, the sermon has to be embellished and full of diverse art, consisting of analogies, proofs, arrangements and periods, and many other similar things, so that we may choose from all these what will be profitable to us” (De prophetiarum obscuritate M56.45–51). In this paper I analyse the rhetorical (and stylistic) techniques in the homily “After the Earthquake” (De terrae motu). At the end I ask whether this homily could indeed be attributed to Chrysostom based on its rhetorical and stylistic features.