Book contents
- Performing Justice in the Later Roman Empire
- Performing Justice in the Later Roman Empire
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Preface
- Abbreviations
- Chapter 1 Introduction
- Chapter 2 Petitions
- Chapter 3 Parrhesia
- Chapter 4 Intercession
- Chapter 5 Riots
- Chapter 6 Ceremony and Power
- Postface
- References
- Index Locorum
- General Index
Chapter 3 - Parrhesia
The Inversion of Hierarchy
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 August 2025
Book contents
- Performing Justice in the Later Roman Empire
- Performing Justice in the Later Roman Empire
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Preface
- Abbreviations
- Chapter 1 Introduction
- Chapter 2 Petitions
- Chapter 3 Parrhesia
- Chapter 4 Intercession
- Chapter 5 Riots
- Chapter 6 Ceremony and Power
- Postface
- References
- Index Locorum
- General Index
Summary
This chapter focuses on parrhesia, the ancient term for criticizing a superior, typically the emperor. This was a particularly tricky thing to do, not only given the power of the emperor, but also because the superior was supposed to be more virtuous than their inferior. Through a display of virtue, the inferior could temporarily overcome the social distance and speak out. Contrary to current views that parrhesia was only really possible in democratic societies and therefore in Late Antiquity the preserve of marginal figures of society, such as holy men, I show that parrhesia was a much more widespread practice that, however, demanded great skill and courage.
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- Performing Justice in the Later Roman Empire , pp. 51 - 65Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2025
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