Rhétorique et poétique de Macrobe dans les 'Saturnales'

Book Description

This scholarly exploration delves into the sophisticated literary artistry behind Macrobius's "Saturnales," a stylized banquet dialogue composed around 430 CE that has long been valued primarily as a source of ancient Roman religious knowledge. Benjamin Goldlust illuminates the overlooked rhetorical and poetic dimensions of this remarkable work, revealing how Macrobius crafted an innovative literary project that transcends mere scholarly compilation.

Through the carefully orchestrated voices of twelve specialized speakers, Macrobius creates what emerges as a living encyclopedia of ancient wisdom. Each participant contributes their unique knowledge to a growing community of understanding, passing discourse from one to another in a deliberate choreography of intellectual exchange. This structure reveals a sophisticated conception of learned conversation that represents a genuine advancement in defining scholarly discourse.

Goldlust's analysis uncovers how the formal elements of the dialogue serve deeper purposes than simple information transmission. The way each speaker takes the floor, develops their contribution, and yields to the next participant reflects a philosophy of knowledge-sharing that transforms individual expertise into collective wisdom. For readers interested in how ancient thinkers approached the transmission of spiritual and philosophical knowledge, this study offers insights into the rhetorical strategies that made such profound conversations possible.

This work appeals to those seeking to understand how classical authors structured meaningful dialogue about sacred and philosophical matters.